ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCES of STUDENTS in an HEI in NORTHERN MINDANAO PHILIPPINES

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 abruptly halted the entrepreneurial experiences of students, as most higher education institutions suspended all entrepreneurial activities from 2020 to between 2022 and 2023, others extending these delays into early 2024. In one university, where entrepreneurial efforts are embedded in the Business Administration curriculum, the full face-to-face implementation of entrepreneurial activities was postponed from 2020 to 2024. However, entrepreneurial activities have fully resumed with the start of the school year 2024-2025. This study aimed to examine the strengths, challenges, opportunities, and risks presented by reintroducing the entrepreneurial course during the semester, more so as these students are now parts of a new tertiary curriculum and represent the first cohort to engage in entrepreneurial activities after the pandemic. Respondents were students enrolled in the entrepreneurial journey subject during the first semester of SY 2024-2025. The methods used were survey and focus group discussion. Findings show that despite time management and organization challenges, students demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset, transforming weaknesses into learning opportunities. Mentoring and structured guidance is crucial for fostering students' entrepreneurial growth and maximizing the course's impact. The study highlights the need for support systems such as mentorship programs, peer collaboration, and resource access to help students overcome challenges effectively.