Managerial Skills and Entrepreneurial Competencies Development Among BS Entrepreneurship Students of Cagayan State University

Abstract

This research explored the development of managerial skills and entrepreneurial competencies. The study also uncovered the perceived barriers to full-time entrepreneurship that the students of the B.S. Entrepreneurship program at Cagayan State University encountered after they had taken the course on Business Plan Implementation (BPI). The study employed a descriptive research design, and the data were drawn from the BPI portfolios of 221 student implementers who were chosen from the academic years 2017 to 2019. The data were also corroborated by validation interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the students' functional and analytical management skills, personal entrepreneurial competencies, and perceived barriers to a career in full-time entrepreneurship. The results of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents were females and that most of them were 20 years old or below, which reflects the current enrollment trend in the field of entrepreneurship programs. Students have shown a very high level of functional and analytical skills in all management areas throughout the study. They have also shown that they have the strongest competencies in organizational and management skills and marketing skills. Financial management skills were rated as high but were still comparatively lower than other domains, which indicated a need for more reinforcement in financial analysis among the students. Opportunity seeking, moderate risk-taking, and self-confidence were the competencies that were most developed in the students, while efficiency orientation, information seeking, and work contract commitment were the least developed. Lack of capital was the foremost factor that prevented the students from going on with their ventures after the completion of their academic requirement. Next to it was the need for more training and the unfavorable market conditions. In general, the results point to strong basic skills among the students who have implemented the projects, but also to deficiencies in financial literacy, analytical skills, and some personal competencies. The research highlights the necessity of not only practical training but also the provision of resources and institutional measures to facilitate the entrepreneurial readiness and ensure the sustainability of the venture.