Growing entrepreneurial-minded talent across disciplines
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ENTI) Minor at Penn State is a unique opportunity for students from all majors to cultivate entrepreneurial skills and innovative thinking across different disciplines. The minor is designed to complement any major and is structured to supply students with the knowledge and tools that will enable them to stand out as innovators within their chosen field.
The ENTI minor encourages hands-on learning and practical application, empowering students who complete the program to start their own ventures or bring innovative approaches to existing organizations. By combining classroom knowledge with practical skills, the minor produces graduates who are well-prepared to tackle real-world challenges with entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial solutions.
Coordinated by the Center for Penn State Student Entrepreneurship, the minor includes three core courses—Entrepreneurial Mindset, Entrepreneurial Leadership and New Venture Creation. Through partnerships with individual colleges, students can choose from nine concentration areas, or “clusters,” that provide specific skills and knowledge and allow students to tailor their education to align with their career goals. Clusters include biotech, digital entrepreneurship and innovation, entrepreneurship as advocacy, food and bio-innovation, hospitality management, new media, new ventures, product innovation and social entrepreneurship. Learn more about each cluster here.
Students leave the program equipped with unique soft skills, like critical thinking and problem-solving, resource management, leadership and teamwork, and the ability to identify and evaluate business opportunities, which can help them navigate a startup journey. These qualities are also prioritized by employers in business, government and the nonprofit sector who are seeking top talent that can drive innovation.
The ENTI minor stands out for its interdisciplinary approach, allowing students from any major to integrate entrepreneurial thinking into their primary field of study. This flexibility helps students become more versatile and competitive in the job market, fostering a mindset of creativity, leadership, and proactive problem-solving.
Students interested in the ENTI minor should consult with their academic advisor to discuss how the program fits within their overall academic plan. The minor is open to all Penn State undergraduates, and courses are available across various campuses, providing flexibility and accessibility to a broad student population.
