How to become a knowledge entrepreneur: development and validation of training

Purpose Knowledge entrepreneurship encourages students to apply their knowledge and skills to societal, digital and ecological challenges – not only just in business but also in careers and social contribution. This study aimed to validate training that promotes using education-derived knowledge to address real-world issues and build career awareness. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on career training, effectuation, and design thinking, the program was implemented at five universities (N = 40). Its impact was assessed through pre/post data and comparison with a control group (N = 41) that did not receive the training. Findings Training participants showed significant improvement in marshaling (entrepreneurial self-efficacy) and career competencies. While both groups were similar before training, training participants reported significantly higher scores across all variables afterward. Originality/value The training proved effective in fostering career self-reflection and applying effectuation principles, helping bridge the graduate skills gap by encouraging students to leverage their existing knowledge and abilities.