Students need entrepreneurial education as a new core class

In today’s rapidly shifting job market, where entire industries can transform overnight, students must be taught how to cultivate transferable skills that empower them to adapt and pivot toward profitable opportunities. Equipping students with entrepreneurial mindsets and self-employment skills that allow them to create their own opportunities is crucial in this volatile economy.

California lost 33,000 jobs from January to May, with about 1 million people unemployed, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

A study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research in 2000 concluded that for individuals from lower-income households, self-employment is a key factor in bridging the economic gap.

In a recent article by Harvard Gazette, AI technology is benefiting highly trained professionals while low-paid service work is on the decline.

According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office in 2024, the majority of low-wage workers did not attend college. The elimination of low-wage services, therefore, creates a problem for workers with limited skills who do not stand to benefit from the expanding, highly trained professional job market.

Business brains = brighter futures 

According to Forbes, entrepreneurship is one of the most effective tools for fighting poverty and ending homelessness.

A study by the National Library of Medicine found that entrepreneurship and financial literacy education can break poverty cycles.

According to Science Direct, entrepreneurial skills like financial literacy, marketing, branding and leadership, all part of small business education, teach students how to think creatively, analytically and problem-solve.

Youth Business International claims that offering kids these tools enables them to be financially independent in their future careers, particularly in underserved areas.

According to Forbes, small businesses drive the American economy, accounting for 44% of its activity, meaning that by teaching students how to start their own business, we can reduce their dependence on traditional job methods, which limit growth. 

A study by the International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Research concluded that the addition of an entrepreneur in education “can help curb poverty by equipping individuals with the skills and mindset needed to identify and act on opportunities, manage risks, and create sustainable businesses.”

A small business education plays a crucial role in preparing students to take control of their future by creating their own opportunities.

Entrepreneurship literacy belongs in schools 

To best position the most vulnerable people in our workforce to become entrepreneurs, we need a new kind of literacy in schools: entrepreneurship literacy.

Frontiers found that an entrepreneurial foundation empowers students to create their own opportunities with resources available to them.

A study conducted by Education Science concluded that entrepreneurial education not only fosters a student’s identity but also drives future entrepreneurial ventures. If we truly want to prepare students for the future, we must give them the skills to build their own path. Small business education does exactly that: it empowers students to gain independence, break cycles of poverty, and shape their own futures. 

Where to start?

While entrepreneurship is not yet a standard part of most high school curricula, there are still ways for students to start building their understanding. 

Three years ago, I started Launch Lab, a summer camp that empowers young children to become entrepreneurs. Through interactive lessons and a kid-run marketplace, campers gain hands-on experience, learning to turn their ideas into real-world businesses in a engaging and supportive environment.

Furthermore, “The Future Is Now,” a video series launched by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. This initiative covers real stories of some of California’s youngest and most driven startup founders. The series shows what’s possible when young people are empowered to turn their ideas into action.

I was particularly moved by the story of the Jimenez Sisters’ Ranch, where the young founders shared the highs and lows of building their own soap business. The success of their business is proof of the great things young people can achieve when given the right tools.

And now?

In a state where jobs are constantly evolving, the school curriculum must evolve too. We can no longer rely solely on hard skills that may become obsolete within a few years. Instead, we must teach students how to think critically, adapt creatively, and act entrepreneurially. By placing entrepreneurship literacy into our classrooms, we’re preparing students for the future.

If you’re a student, parent, educator, or were also moved by the videos on “The Future Is Now,” I’d love to hear from you.

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