Entrepreneurial career: Factors influencing the decision of Hungarian students

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the article is to examine the career plans and their key shaping factors among Hungarian students, with a special focus on entrepreneurial ambitions.

Research Design & Methods: The study is based on the analysis of the Hungarian database of the GUESSS (Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students ’Survey), with 9 677 valid answers.

Findings: After graduation, a significant proportion of students would like to work as an employee. The proportion of those planning an entrepreneurial career is low. Our research suggests that positive entrepreneurial attitudes and better knowledge about the entrepreneurial processes increase the chance of an entrepreneurial career. The entrepreneurial university environment may also have a positive effect on entrepreneurial aspirations. Finally, experiences from a family entrepreneurial background leave a very strong imprint on students ’career plans.

Implications & Recommendations: Understanding student opinions in the context of entrepreneurship, and in particular the key drivers behind them, makes it possible to develop policies and university practices that can increase students’ entrepreneurial intention and thus entrepreneurial activity.

Contribution & Value Added: The study provides a literature overview of the factors which influence entrepreneurial career choices, introduces the main characteristics of students’ career aspirations in 2018 in Hungary and contributes to understanding the factors shaping the decision.