What Can You Do With an Entrepreneurship Degree?

By nature, entrepreneurial endeavors are versatile. They afford creative thinkers and business-minded professionals the opportunity to forge their own path forward. 

Aspiring entrepreneurs may find that an entrepreneurship degree is an excellent educational pathway to consider. This multifaceted program prepares graduates for a variety of careers, including (but not limited to) business ownership.

Why an Entrepreneurship Degree?

Anchored by business principles and enhanced by coursework that emphasizes creative thinking, an entrepreneurship degree program is ideal for innovative students who are driven by their dreams and inspired to carve out their own path. Enabling students to develop a strong foundation in business as well as build the confidence to bring their own venture to life, this program focuses on unique skills such as: 

• Innovation and ethical leadership
• Sales, marketing, and financial literacy
• Business planning
• Adaptability and resilience
• Communication 

Career Paths With an Entrepreneurship Degree

While other degree programs provide students with a direct pathway into a particular field, the entrepreneurship degree is a versatile program that can pave the way to a wide range of career paths. What can you do with an entrepreneurship degree? In many ways, the sky is the limit.

According to Entrepreneur, below are just a few of the career paths professionals who earn an entrepreneurship degree may be able to consider:

Startup Founder or Small Business Owner

Many students who enroll in an entrepreneurship degree program wish to start their own business, so this is one of the most common career paths for graduates. A small business owner has the freedom and flexibility to create their own business, whether it’s a locally-owned bakery in their downtown area or an online startup focused on consulting services. Small business ownership is a rewarding yet challenging career path. An entrepreneurship degree can help equip students with the business acumen required to write a business plan and launch a successful, sustainable venture.

Intrapreneur or Innovation Manager

Whereas an entrepreneur launches their own outside organization, an intrapreneur develops innovative ideas from within an organization. Intrapreneurs are responsible for leveraging the power of the resources available to them within an organization in order to develop new innovations that support the organization’s growth and success. Their job is to provide executive leadership with new and exciting ideas that can improve operational efficiency and production; as a result, many intrapreneurs find that they are on a direct path toward career advancement opportunities.

Business Consultant

Business consulting can be a rewarding career path, but it typically requires several years of professional experience and, in many cases, specialized expertise. While a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship alone is unlikely to qualify someone for a consulting role, it provides a strong foundation in areas such as business management, marketing, innovation, and problem-solving — all of which are valuable as professionals gain experience.

Over time, graduates who build industry knowledge, develop a track record of successful projects, or pursue further education may be well-positioned to move into consulting roles that focus on strategy, operations, or organizational growth.

Corporate Leadership

Corporate leaders guide organizational strategy, oversee operations, and drive long-term growth. These positions typically require extensive professional experience, and many executives also pursue advanced degrees such as an MBA or DBA to deepen their leadership and management expertise.

While a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship does not qualify someone for corporate leadership roles on its own, it provides an important foundational understanding of business principles, innovation, and strategic thinking. Over time, graduates who build experience and continue their education may work toward leadership positions within an organization.

Marketing and Brand Development

Marketing managers and brand developers own an organization’s marketing strategy. These business professionals work to conduct effective market research, create and manage marketing content, and develop marketing strategies that position the brand in a positive light. Increasing visibility and developing brand loyalty are two key goals of marketing and brand development professionals. Within an entrepreneurship degree program, students explore the role of marketing in the modern business landscape while becoming proficient in the core marketing principles organizations use across industries.

Operations and Project Management

Operations and project management specialists are responsible for directing the details of a given organization or project. According to the BLS, professionals working in operations and project management oversee budgets, allocate resources, and maintain project schedules. A bachelor’s degree is typically required for this field, and an entrepreneurship degree helps students develop the interdisciplinary skills necessary for success in operations and project management.

Finance and Venture Capital

Professionals in finance and venture capital strive to secure funding for start-up organizations. Those with an entrepreneurial spirit often appreciate the opportunity to promote the success of new business ventures, making this a compelling specialty for entrepreneurship degree holders.

Nonprofit and Social Enterprise Leadership

Nonprofit and social enterprise organizations are mission-driven, but they still require strong business practices to operate effectively. Like any organization, they must generate revenue — through fundraising, grants, donations, tuition, program fees, or other sources — to sustain operations, pay employees, and support long-term growth.

An entrepreneurship degree equips graduates with the business acumen, strategic thinking, and innovative mindset needed to lead these organizations successfully. By understanding both financial management and creative problem-solving, students are better prepared to develop sustainable solutions that advance a social mission while ensuring organizational stability.

How to Maximize Your Entrepreneurship Degree

With an emphasis on interdisciplinary competencies, the entrepreneurship degree program opens the door to numerous opportunities in business. Some ways graduates might leverage the power and benefits of an entrepreneurship degree include:

• Seek real-world experience that complements your interests in business. According to reporting by Investopedia, it can be useful to “gain skills while working for someone else” before you start a business. This could include working on marketing/advertising campaigns to promote products or on the sales side to learn how to build and develop a customer base. 
• Leverage professional and social networking opportunities in your local area or online. One study published in the Journal of Management Education emphasizes that “social networks play a vital role in facilitating entrepreneurial learning, with context and network serving as essential learning mechanisms” and, thus, are valuable elements to integrate into entrepreneurship education experiences. 
• Participate in incubators or pitch competitions that allow you to gain exposure and seek support in the early stages of business development. 
• Develop a growth mindset and remain committed to professional development opportunities.
• Hone soft skills for entrepreneurs that motivate others, inspire change, and encourage innovation.

Entrepreneurship Degree vs. Business Degree: What’s the Difference?

An entrepreneurship degree is a specialized business degree program that focuses on the skills required to bring new and innovative business ideas to life.  Meanwhile, a business degree program is designed to provide students with a broad overview of the leading business practices. Students wanting to become innovators who inspire change — either within or outside an organization — will find that the entrepreneurship degree program takes a deeper dive into innovation, venture creation, and adaptability.

Why JWU Online’s BSBA in Entrepreneurship Stands Out

The online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Entrepreneurship degree at Johnson & Wales University (JWU) Online prepares students to explore fresh business concepts and develop new ventures. Featuring a curriculum rooted in the values of business administration, this innovative program weaves creativity, communication, and other core competencies into the coursework so that students may pursue entrepreneurial paths with confidence. The program is asynchronous and 100% online, giving students the flexibility to study on their own schedule

For more information about completing your degree online, complete the Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881, or email [email protected]. 

FAQs About Entrepreneurship Degrees