Experiences of Entrepreneurial Psychosocial Competencies among University Students: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to understand the lived experiences of Business Administration students at Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo National University regarding the development of their entrepreneurial psychosocial competencies. The research adopted a qualitative approach with a phenomenological design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight students selected through purposive sampling. The initial categories were entrepreneurial vision and orientation, self-efficacy and risk tolerance, applied creativity and innovation, adaptability, persistence and resilience, leadership, communication, networking, and university-based entrepreneurship education. The analysis was conducted through reflexive thematic coding, identifying units of meaning, codes, and emerging categories. The findings show that students perceive entrepreneurship as an opportunity for personal and professional growth; however, they experience difficulties in setting clear goals, taking risks, communicating their ideas, transforming proposals into projects, leading teams, persevering in the face of failure, and seeking support networks. They also value workshops and extracurricular activities but consider that these should be more practical, context-specific, and supported by professors, mentors, or experienced entrepreneurs. It is concluded that entrepreneurial psychosocial competencies should be strengthened through applied learning experiences, mentoring, institutional support, and university environments that foster self-confidence, creativity, resilience, leadership, and networking.