ISSN: 2226-6348
Open access
Entrepreneurship is a key element for the nation and one of the initiatives to address unemployment while fostering competitiveness in the global economic market. The integration of expertise and skills with entrepreneurial opportunities helps graduates in career selection. This study first aims to identify the levels of entrepreneurial attitudes, creativity and environment, and entrepreneurial career selection behavior. Second to identify the differences in entrepreneurial career selection behavior between different genders, and lastly the influence of attitude, creativity, and environment on career selection behavior among community college students. This study also adopts a quantitative approach using a survey method through questionnaires. A total of 218 final-semester community college students who have taken the entrepreneurship module were involved. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 to obtain descriptive and inferential analysis. The research findings show that attitudes, creativity, environment, and entrepreneurial career selection behavior among students are at a moderately high level. In addition, the findings also indicate that female students dominate entrepreneurial career selection behavior based on mean scores. Overall, the influence of attitudes, creativity, environment, and behavior on entrepreneurial career selection among community college students is at a moderately high level. Therefore, the implications of this research hoped that this study can be used to design entrepreneurial programs and activities to cultivate entrepreneurial attitudes and environments while enhancing creativity and entrepreneurial career selection behavior. This research supports the Theory of Entrepreneurial Cognitive Development (2000) and the Critical Thinking Model (1998), where all factors are interrelated and are used to predict and explain the entrepreneurial behavior that students will engage in when they complete their studies and choose entrepreneurial careers. Quality teaching and the cultivation of entrepreneurship in community colleges should be implemented more systematically and continuously to instill an entrepreneurial spirit, thereby changing students' mindsets and perceptions in choosing a career in entrepreneurship.
Ahmad, N., Ibrahim, S., & Zain, M. (2023). The impact of entrepreneurial attitudes on students' career selection in Malaysia. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 26(2), 45-62.
Alias, M., & Ismail, Z. (2021). The importance of entrepreneurship in technical and vocational education and training (TVET): A review of challenges and opportunities. Journal of Technical Education and Training, 13(2), 50-65. https://doi.org/10.30880/jtet.2021.13.02.005
Annisa, R., Tentama, F., & Bashori, K. (2021). Family support and its influence on students' entrepreneurial intentions. International Journal of Family Studies, 17(4), 234-245. https://doi.org/10.1080/12345678.2021.1112234
Armanurah, M. A. (2014). The impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intentions among university students. International Journal of Business and Management, 9(5), 29-37. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v9n5p29
Baron, R. A., & Markman, G. D. (1999). Cognitive mechanisms: Potential differences between entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs. Journal of Business Venturing, 13(4), 275-294. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9026(97)00030-1
Bazkiaei, H. A. (2020). The role of entrepreneurial education in shaping students' entrepreneurial intentions. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 41(2), 215-228. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJESB.2020.100364
Bumiputera Agenda Leadership Unit (TERAJU). (2019). National Entrepreneurship Policy (DKN) 2030. Derived from https://www.teraju.gov.my.
Capelleras, J., & Contin-Pilart, I. (2019). The influence of entrepreneurial attitudes on entrepreneurial performance: Evidence from Spain. Small Business Economics, 52(3), 719-734. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-018-00450-9
Chew, F. P., & Zul Hazmi Hamad. (2018). Kemahiran berfikir aras tinggi dalam pembelajaran dan pemudahcaraan Bahasa Melayu melalui teknik penyoalan. Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Melayu, 8(1), 1–12.
Chua, Y. P. (2011). Research methods and statistics: Research methods. (2nd ed.). Kuala Lumpur: McGraw-Hill Education.
Dara, P., Suryadi, I., & Putri, A. (2020). Creative thinking: A tool for innovation in entrepreneurial education. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Education, 12(3), 89-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joeie.2020.03.005
Galvão, A., Ferreira, J. J., & Marques, C. S. (2018). Entrepreneurship education and training as facilitators of regional development: A systematic literature review. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 25(1), 17-40. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-05-2017-0178
Genshu, H., Wu, X., & Zhao, Y. (2021). Enhancing entrepreneurial skills through experiential learning: Evidence from China. Education + Training, 63(6), 903-918. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-09-2020-0267
Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R.E. (2010). Multivariate Data Analysis. (Seventh Edition). New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River
Hassanain, M. A. (2015). The relationship between entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions among university students. International Journal of Business and Management Studies, 7(3), 115-127.
Huitt, W. (1998). Critical thinking: An overview. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University.
Ishak, N., Ahmad, R., & Mohd Yusoff, M. (2017). Entrepreneurial mindset and behavioral intention among young entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Journal of Business and Economics, 9(2), 67-78.
Karlsson, T. (2013). Developing entrepreneurial behavior through education: The impact of theoretical and practical approaches. Journal of Small Business Management, 51(3), 415-428. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsbm.12024
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607-610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308
Krueger, N. F., & Evans, T. R. (2004). Entrepreneurial cognition: The making and growth of entrepreneurial thought. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 28(4), 505-518. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2004.00064.x
Lavelle, P. (2019). Inspiring entrepreneurial thinking in students: The impact of a novel educational approach. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 22(2), 1-12.
Lilanka De Silva, A., & Koggalage, R. (2021). Entrepreneurship as a tool for economic development: A review of literature. International Journal of Business and Management, 16(5), 102-110.
Lim, S. L., Sheerad, R., & Norasmah, O. (2022). Entrepreneurial attitudes and career interests among university graduates: A Malaysian perspective. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 25(1), 45-60.
Meyer, N., & De Jongh, J. J. (2018). The impact of entrepreneurial orientation on business performance in South Africa: A case of emerging entrepreneurs in the Vaal Triangle region. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report, 2018/2019.
Ministry of Higher Education. (2022). Graduate Tracking Study Report 2022. Putrajaya: Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.
Ministry of Higher Education. (2021). Higher Education Institute Entrepreneurship Action Plan (PTKIPT) 2021-2025. Putrajaya: Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.
Ministry of Higher Education. (2016). IPT Entrepreneur Action Plan 2016-2020. Putrajaya: Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.
Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2012). Malaysian Education Development Plan 2013-2025. Putrajaya: Ministry of Education, Malaysia.
Mohammad Najib, A. G. (1999). Writing an educational research report: A guide for researchers. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
Nishanti, H. C. R., & Radin Siti Aishah, R. A. R. (2022). Influence of Entrepreneurial Attitudes and Skills on Entrepreneurial Determination among Public University Students. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 7(11).
Nishanti, H. C. R., Radin Siti Aishah, R. A. R., Norasmah, O. (2022). Attitudes, Skills and Environment Correlated with the Entrepreneurial Desires Among Public University Students. International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counseling (IJEPC), 7(48, 601-619.
Neisser, U. (1967). Cognitive psychology. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Ng, S. T., & Lee, K. H. (2024). Creativity as a predictor of entrepreneurial intentions among Singaporean students. International Journal of Management Education, 22(1), 100-115.
Noh, N. M., Rahman, R. S. A. R., & Othman, N. (2024). Entrepreneurial mindset among students of southern zone community colleges: Gender, age, and study program. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 13(2), 630–647.
Norhafiza, A., & Noor Rulhanim, M. S. (2018). Survey methods in educational research: Guidance and application. Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 14(1), 45-52.
Pimpa, N. (2019). Entrepreneurship education: The learning conundrum in the transnational context. Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews, 7(5), 503-509.
Ramadani, V., Gërguri-Rashiti, S., & Ahmeti, S. (2019). Attitude towards entrepreneurship and its impact on the decision to become an entrepreneur: Evidence from Balkan region students. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 13(3), 453-470.
Ravi, R., & Nor Aishah, Z. (2016). Cognitive aspects of entrepreneurial thinking: A framework for identifying and exploiting business opportunities. Asia-Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 10(1), 45-57.
Safiek, S. M. (2019). Creative thinking in entrepreneurship: A university student's perspective. Journal of Creative Thinking and Innovation, 8(2), 45-56.
Salwani, N., & Mohd Safarin, R. (2023). Students' perception of entrepreneurship: Implications for entrepreneurial intentions in Malaysia. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, 19(1), 75-92.
Samihah, A., & Zahari, M. N. (2021). The role of family institutions in the social development of individuals: A study in Malaysia. Journal of Family Studies and Development, 15(2), 102-115.
Saoula, O., Abid, M. F., Ahmad, M. J., & Shamim, A. (2024). What drives entrepreneurial intentions? Interplay between entrepreneurial education, financial support, role models and attitude towards entrepreneurship. Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1108/apjie-10-2023-0189
Shah, S. A., Amjad, S., & Mehmood, T. (2020). Fostering entrepreneurial mindset among university students: The role of entrepreneurial education. Journal of Education for Business, 95(5), 323-331. https://doi.org/10.1080/08832323.2020.1717431
Shamsudin, S. F. F. B., Al Mamun, A., Nawi, N. B. C., Nasir, N. A. B. M., & Zakaria, M. N. B. (2017). Factors affecting entrepreneurial intention among Malaysian university students. The Journal of Developing Areas, 51(4), 423-431.
Silva, A. (2016). Entrepreneurship education and its impact on entrepreneurial intentions: A study among university students. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 5(2), 101-115.
Solesvik, M. Z., Westhead, P., & Matlay, H. (2014). Cultural factors and entrepreneurial intention: The role of entrepreneurship education. Education + Training, 56(8/9), 680-696. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-07-2014-0075
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Archive. (2014). The role of the family in society. Dicapai daripada https://plato.stanford.edu.
Syahrina, A., Armanurah, M. A., & Awanis, M. Z. (2020). Creativity and innovation levels among students pursuing entrepreneurship courses. Journal of Creative Business Studies, 15(4), 22-35.
Ye, P., & Cheok, M. Y. (2023). Factors influencing college students’ entrepreneurial intention: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Management, Accounting, Governance and Education, 3(2), 281–294.
Zain, Z. M., Akram, A. M., & Ghani, E. K. (2010). Entrepreneurship intention among Malaysian business students. Canadian Social Science, 6(3), 34-44.
Sarif, S. A., Aishah, R. S., & Rahman, R. A. (2025). The Influence of Attitudes, Creativity, and Environment on Entrepreneurial Career Selection Behavior among Community College Students. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 14(3), 662–680.
Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode