Da graduação ao empreendedorismo: uma análise das competências empreendedoras dos graduandos e egressos do curso de Secretariado Executivo

Abstract

Entrepreneurship has been increasingly standing out as an alternative for job creation and income generation, especially in scenarios of economic instability. In this context, entrepreneurial skills become essential for those who wish to venture. However, it is important to highlight that entrepreneurial skills are not limited only to those who want to start a business, but also for those who wish to work in companies, either as managers or employees. The Executive Secretariat course trains professionals with a holistic vision, capable of advising organizations based on the multidisciplinary knowledge acquired during their education. Therefore, the general objective of the research that permeates this work is: To investigate the degree of impact of entrepreneurial skills acquired by graduates and undergraduates of the Executive Secretariat course at UFC on their professional performance. A qualitative and quantitative research was conducted with the mentioned course's undergraduates and graduates, between the periods of 2017.1 and 2022.1. Data was collected through an electronic survey form. Data analysis was performed using a 5-point Likert scale and a competency table based on Lenzi's (2008) typology of entrepreneurial skills. After analyzing the data, it was possible to observe that the Executive Secretariat course at UFC had high degrees of impact for a significant portion of the survey respondents, whether in acquiring entrepreneurial skills or in the improvement and theoretical understanding of competencies already identified by professionals prior to joining the undergraduate program. The research also showed that there are differences when comparing the perceptions of graduates and undergraduates, indicating that completing the degree provides a greater understanding of competencies in their professional context. Additionally, the participants listed various barriers when needing entrepreneurial skills in their professional performance, including practical aspects of entrepreneurship, personal limitations, limitations in the work environment, or external situations affecting the individual. It is important to emphasize that the results reveal the possibility of deeper and clearer approaches to competencies in the undergraduate curriculum for a more effective practical understanding, as pointed out by some participants.