Entrepreneurial spirit

readiness to act
courage to take risks
proactiveness

Entrepreneurial spirit involves the ability and courage to initiate and experiment with new opportunities and solutions. Engaging in entrepreneurship involves the courage to take risks, the ability to recognise opportunities and the will to seize them, the willingness to find solutions and to follow through with planned action.
An entrepreneurial person can set clear goals and develop strategies to achieve them. They use resources effectively, build and manage teams, respond flexibly to change and adapt to new situations.

Being proactive means being ready to take the initiative and to act before it is required. It involves being able to take responsibility for your actions.

A moment of reflection: What does entrepreneurship mean to you? Are you more of a think-and-do person, or do a lot of your thoughts remain plans? Do you consider yourself a risk taker? If there is a group assignment in a course, do you take the lead, or would you rather wait for someone to give you tasks? If a problem arises, will you take action to solve it? If something goes wrong, is it difficult for you to take responsibility and how does it affect your future endeavours?

Inspiration to take action

  • Look for opportunities to experiment with new solutions in your everyday life.
  • Surround yourself with entrepreneurial people, learn from them and ask them what principles they operate by.
  • Demonstrate initiative in organising events or other activities in your department, institute or faculty.

  • Analyse what entrepreneurship could mean for your chosen profession or preferred job. What role are you most comfortable in, what skills do you need?
  • Take part in university programmes or events (e.g. Startup Day) that allow you to work with entrepreneurial people and get the inspiration and experience to start a business.
  • Take part in hackathons on topics that interest you. It will help you surround yourself with enterprising and creative people who will be good role models for you in the future.
  • Co-organise an event, learn to take responsibility and lead a team.
  • Take part in the LEADER programme where you will gain valuable and useful experience and skills, including self-management and responsibility.
  • Get involved in student organisations (in Estonian) or apply to be a student representative (Student Union).
  • Do more than is expected of you.

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