Younger generation bets on entrepreneurship for a successful career

The economic crisis and unemployment inclines university students to go for their own business, although support actions are still insufficient

Por Beatriz Mira*

Entrepreneurship has become a professional strategy increasingly common among university students, especially because of the country’s economic difficulties. The diagnosis is made by Sebrae, who, during the 11th Global Entrepreneurship Week (SGE), held November 5-9, published a research that traces the profile of the young Brazilian entrepreneur. The study shows, among other things, that about 80% of young entrepreneurs up to the age of 24 have already considered undertaking before age 18. The survey also reveals that the willingness to undertake and expand business among this public still has the potential to grow.

Sebrae consultant responsible for the University Startups sector, Marcela Milano, explains that entrepreneurship serves as an alternative for the future of a younger person in a setting of economic crisis and unemployment. “Not only by generating income but also for experimentation with new markets and possibilities within the segment that this generation has chosen this field.”

Professor Paulo Porto, responsible for the Pibep (Institutional Scholarship Program for Entrepreneurship and Research), PUCPR’s business germination initiative, states that most students want to act, but do not have a solid business. Thus, Pibep appears as one of several options to make it easy and accessible: “To participate in the project you do not have to have a team or a good idea. It is a space where the only prerequisite is willingness to try. ”

The student of Architecture and Urbanism of PUCPR Amanda Ferreira, 22, developed in her project a collaborative space for people with creative interests. “Tandem” arose from a need found in the area after her time living abroad in Germany. The project came to life thanks to a professor who encouraged his students to be a part of Pibep: “If it were not for the talk around the university, we would never know about the project or we would have an interest,” says Amanda. After about two months of work, the student feels that she and Tandem have evolved a lot. “I feel much more part of the world, I am more communicative and I have learned to deal with people,” she says. “It’s a very good experience, I would recommend it to anyone.”

Marcela Milano demystifies the need for an investor for young entrepreneurs to execute their ideas, and emphasizes that the diploma is not a major factor in this market: “From traditional businesses to digital, different social skills are prioritized, articulation with people, power of influence and decision. ”

Little support and fear

The PUCPR initiative is an exception in the higher education scenario: Sebrae research shows that only 6.2% of universities have practical business programs. Another revealing fact of the research is that 54.4% of the offered entrepreneurship classes focus only on “inspiration to undertake”, and do not provide the means. The reflection of this is that about 30% of students never thought of trying because they do not feel the incentive of educational institutions. Sebrae’s research also pointed out that students who do not yet undertake care more about challenges than those who already own a business.

Student creates app to help elderly care

Student Lucas Teixeira, 25, attends Administration at PUCPR and was the winner of the third edition of Pibep as the “99 Helpers” project. The startup aims to intermediate nurses, caregivers of the elderly and families who want to hire the service. After being approved in the first stage of the project, he was sent to São Paulo, presented to the “Reclame aqui” team and received an invitation to undergo an incubation inside the company.

Lucas says starting small projects brings difficulties, but values the university experience. “Sometimes we think college is one thing and the job market is another; but the reality from the outside comes into the university, “he says.

According to the student, to start a startup, it is not enough to have an idea and expect it to generate money: “You have to be willing to participate in the project every week, to dedicate extra hours to the program”, says Lucas, that today, maintains 99 Helpers as his main job.

** Esta reportagem faz parte do projeto de internacionalização do curso de Jornalismo da PUCPR e integra a edição 314 do jornal Comunicare, jornal laboratorial do curso de Jornalismo da PUCPR. A tradução foi feita pela estudantes intercambista Beatriz Sprada Mira. Confira, abaixo, a edição na íntegra.