A STUDY OF THE CURRENT STATE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT FOR ALTERNATIVE CAREER PATHS AMONG PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS AT CHAIYAPHUM RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

            A Study of the Current Conditions of Entrepreneurial Competency Development to Support Alternative Career Paths for Student Teachers at Chaiyaphum Rajabhat University. The objective of the study was to examine the current conditions regarding the development of entrepreneurial competencies among student teachers. The sample group consisted of 270 third-year undergraduate students from the Faculty of Education and Human Development, enrolled in the first semester of the 2025 academic year. Stratified random sampling was employed. The research instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire developed by the researcher. The statistical methods used for data analysis included the mean and standard deviation. The research findings revealed that most students had experience in earning income on their own while studying, such as selling products online, trading, working part-time, engaging in startup businesses, and other activities, particularly general labor. Most students primarily aimed for and placed importance on the teaching profession they were studying for; therefore, they were uncertain about their future goals related to becoming entrepreneurs. However, they still expressed a desire to pursue further learning to enhance their knowledge and develop entrepreneurial competencies as an alternative career option in the future. The analysis of students’ opinions regarding their current level of entrepreneurial competencies comprised three dimensions: 1. Knowledge: It was found that students possessed greater knowledge of the marketing mix and consumer behavior compared to other aspects (M = 3.40, SD = 0.95). 2. Skills: Students demonstrated higher levels of creativity and the ability to apply new innovations in business operations compared to other skills (M = 3.42, SD = 1.02). 3. Attributes: Students showed higher levels of responsibility and integrity, prioritizing organizational benefits over personal benefits compared to other attributes (M = 3.68, SD = 0.95).