A Narrative Review of University Entrepreneurship Education and Proposed Experimental Study of the My Counselorpreneur Module

Abstract

Unemployment among recent graduates is a growing concern in Malaysia, highlighting the need to cultivate entrepreneurial intentions and capacities within the university student population. However, the impact of existing entrepreneurship education programs has been inconsistent. This narrative review synthesizes conceptual models and empirical findings regarding the outcomes of prevalent university entrepreneurship training approaches on students’ entrepreneurial knowledge, skills, and aspirations. After defining key terminology, social role theory is used to explain observed differences by gender and training methodology. Past studies reveal mixed results for structured interventions like lectures, business simulations, mentoring, and experiential exposures. While some methods strengthened cognitions, others showed no significant impact due to standardized rather than tailored content. To address these literature gaps, an experimental study is proposed to evaluate the efficacy of "My Counselorpreneur," an innovative 20-hour counseling-focused workshop developed to enhance entrepreneurial intentions and preparedness among Malaysian graduates. The module comprises customized activities to improve enterprise awareness, registration abilities, marketing, financial literacy, and motivations. By integrating experiential learning and self-efficacy development, well-designed training can help young people cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets and skills to pursue business endeavors, decreasing reliance on traditional employment. Targeted programs that promote entrepreneurship have the potential to expedite innovation, expansion, and self-sufficiency among university students.