Two-Thirds Of Young Workers Want To Start Their Own Business

Two-Thirds Of Young Workers Want To Start Their Own Business

Two-thirds of young Australian workers want to work for themselves or start their own business, according to new research from Think Education.

The survey of 1,500 Australian workers aged 18-35 also reveals that men are more likely than women to have entrepreneurial aspirations – with 71 per cent of men wanting to start their own business, compared to just 61 per cent of women.

'It's really inspiring to see that so many young people have the ambition to be their own boss," says Prof. Helmut Lueckenhausen, the Executive Dean for Think Education.

'It's often people with innovative ideas and the drive to pursue them that get the most satisfaction from their work, and make the biggest impact."

The survey also shows that 70 per cent of young workers think they would go further in their career if they had more education, with men more likely to hold this view than women (76 per to 65 per cent).

'If you're interested in starting your own business, further education can be a great first step," Prof. Lueckenhausen says.

'While many of the world's leading entrepreneurs often tell young people to drop out of studying and just get on with it, I think the reality is that this is not an option for most people. Many sectors require a qualification to get started, and you also still need to be able to pay the bills, after all.

'In my view, it's also important to remember that it's not a race. Whether you are looking to start a small business, build an app, or run an agency or café, you need to have all your ducks in a row. Importantly, you need to have the right connections, a clear plan, and be ready to be in it for the long-haul," he says.

'While most people tend to think that the first year of operation is the most dangerous, it is actually the following few years when most new businesses fall over. This is usually due to a lack of business planning, and poor cash flow and financial management.

'That's why it is so important to have a solid network, a good mentor and a structured business plan in place," Prof. Lueckenhausen says.

'One of the great things about getting further education is the connections you make; both with other students, and with industry experts and potential mentors. You can also develop your business idea further while studying, and apply what you learn to your planning," Prof. Lueckenhausen says.

'At Think Education, you can study all or part of your course online, which means that you can fit your education around your work. In addition, the majority of our teachers still work in their field, and we have strong partnerships with industry, both of which are invaluable resources for those looking to start their own business.

'Our integrated learning programs – which includes industry placements, internships and dedicated facilities – also means that you gain practical, real-world experience that gives you both a foot in the door, and a feel for what your new career will be like. It also helps you develop a professional network before you graduate," he says.

If you're interested in finding out more, visit a Think Education Open Day. Details can be found here: www.think.edu.au/news-and-events/events

About Think Education

Think Education (www.think.edu.au) encompasses eight different colleges in NSW, QLD and VIC, ranging from short courses to Bachelor and Masters degree level courses across four faculties; Business, Health, Hospitality and Design. Think Education provides qualifications to more than 10,000 students with both on campus face-to-face learning and online courses. The colleges which Think Education proudly represents are:

 

Billy Blue College of Design

CATC Design School

APM College of Business and Communication

William Blue College of Hospitality Management

Australasian College of Natural Therapies

Southern School of Natural Therapies

Jansen Newman Institute

Australian National College of Beauty

With over 180 years of combined history, Think colleges share a common heritage. At the core of Think's approach is our four promises; everyone has a job they love, everyone chooses how and where they learn, everyone has an edge and everyone can change their world. 

At Think Education, we challenge the myopic and stereotypical thinking of the traditional education system, and rebuild it to suit students and their futures. We believe in delivering an experience that empowers resilience, confidence and curiosity, where heads and hearts are aligned, instinctively bringing our students' talents and abilities to life. We place equal value on theory and practice. We ensure our students are trained in the real world skills they need for success. And we give everyone a platform to change their world.  The education revolution starts here.