Empreendedorismo e docência: como a vivência em uma empresa júnior impacta na formação de licenciandos em ciências biológicas

Abstract

The contemporary job market is constantly evolving, requiring professionals to develop an increasingly diverse set of competencies. In the context of teacher education, in addition to mastering subject-specific content and pedagogical knowledge, skills related to communication, leadership, organization, planning, and problem-solving are also essential. However, not all of these competencies are fully developed during undergraduate education, leading many pre-service teachers to seek complementary learning experiences. In this context, Junior Enterprises (JEs) stand out as organizations formed and managed by university students that develop projects and provide services related to their fields of study. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the skills developed by Biological Sciences undergraduate students participating in Junior Enterprises linked to two public higher education institutions in the state of Ceará, Brazil, as well as to understand how these competencies contribute to teacher education and the completion of mandatory supervised internships. A Likert-scale questionnaire consisting of 32 questions divided into four sections was administered to current and former members of the Mata Branca and Harpia Junior Enterprises. The sections addressed general information, involvement in activities, self-assessment of competencies, and the impact of participation in the Junior Enterprise Movement on teacher education. A total of 20 participants responded to the survey. The results indicated that participation in Junior Enterprises contributed to the development of competencies such as management, leadership, and self-confidence, which are essential for the professional training of biologists and, when applied to the educational context, for the preparation of future teachers.