Prior Professional Experiences as a Determinant of Students' Entrepreneurial Intention: The Case of Cadi Ayyad University

Abstract

Against a backdrop of rising unemployment among graduates and profound changes in the labor market, student entrepreneurship emerges as an alternative pathway to professional integration. Universities are called upon to foster an entrepreneurial culture through initiatives that encourage students to start their own businesses. Key among these initiatives are professional experiences that cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and strengthen the intention to launch a venture. This article analyzes the influence of prior professional experiences on the entrepreneurial intentions of students at Cadi Ayyad University. It is grounded in Ajzen’s (1991) Theory of Planned Behavior, a framework widely used in entrepreneurship research. A quantitative approach was adopted, involving the administration of a questionnaire to a sample of students from Cadi Ayyad University. The findings will serve as a basis for formulating recommendations to strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit.