2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The development of an entrepreneurial mindset (EM) is critical for engineering students as they prepare to navigate complex, real-world challenges. This project aimed to enhance students' EM by connecting them with early-career professionals through a seminar series and in-class jigsaw activities. In the spring semester of 2024, four alumni, representing diverse career paths in consulting, water treatment, enzyme manufacturing, and data science, participated in a monthly seminar series open to all engineering students. Following each seminar, the alumni collaborated with the course instructor to design and present a jigsaw activity related to their profession in a junior-level, chemical engineering separations course. The jigsaw activities provided a hands-on, problem-solving framework to engage students in the practical application of EM concepts, aligning with the three Cs of curiosity, connections, and creating value.

To assess the impact of these activities, pre- and post-surveys based on EM were administered. Data analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in students’ EM across several factors. For instance, students demonstrated greater confidence in their ability to lead teams and assess the feasibility of new products. Through alumni engagement that emphasized practical applications of engineering concepts and real-world problem-solving, students' EM was enhanced by improving their confidence in leadership, creative thinking, and problem-solving.