Year as an Entrepreneur - Higher Level | Study Guide, Haaga-Helia

Learning objectives

Entrepreneurship is about creating possibilities and solutions in uncertain conditions. It is innovative actions resulting in new and improved companies. In many occupations entrepreneurship is the main form of working. The aim of the program is to offer students practical experiences of entrepreneurship and a chance to apply their knowledge in an authentic business environment. After the course students have gained personal experience in creating and testing business ideas and establishing a business.

The course is a part of the European JA Company Program and similar courses are arranged throughout Europe. In Finland the program is coordinated by Junior Achievement – Young Enterprise Finland (Nuori yrittäjyys ry), which is a non-governmental organization. More information available at: www.nuoriyrittajyys.fi.

Year as an Entrepreneur - Higher Level ( http://vuosiyrittajana.fi ) is an educational program where students establish their own JA Company, which operates on real money, for one term or one calendar year. The company will function as a test lab for students’ ideas, provide a possibility to put working life skills into practice, and give students’ an idea of what it is like to work in a small private company. In addition, students can grow their networks by connecting with other JA students.

The program is suitable for all students despite the field of study. Basic knowledge in business is an advantage but the program is based on multidisciplinary and learning by doing together. Students do not have to have a business idea at the beginning. More important is that the student has a will and enthusiasm to create new and learn by doing.

The students form small teams and establish their companies. A Student Company operates like any actual company, offering its products and services to clients.It can be runned one year after beginning. JA Company program gives an excellent opportunity to students to test their ideas and develop business skills.

Starting level and linkage with other courses

No prerequisites. The course can be linked to the entrepreneurship specialization studies in Haaga-Helia GloBBA program or to free-choice studies. The course suits for all students who are interested in entrepreneurship.

Implementation methods, demonstration and Work&Study

The course cannot be recognised as a prior learning or done by studification.

Assessment criteria - grade 1

When the implementation type of the course is CONTACT, ONLINE or BLENDED it is required that the student is present during those teaching hours that are marked in the study schedule. If you are absent more than 25 %, your grade will be lowered by one. If you are absent more than 50 %, the course is failed.

• knows what entrepreneurial procedures and methods are.
• knows the phases of ideation and business development and is able to work in a team.
• follows his/her development in a learning diary.
• can list the skills required for an entrepreneur and knows the challenges that starting and developing a business includes.
• is able to develop a business model and understands the importance of a business plan.

Assessment criteria - grade 3

• has a good knowledge and understanding of business ideation, business planning and establishing a business.
• is able to work as an active member in a team.
• has a good conception of what is needed to start one’s own business.
• follows his/her development analytically in a learning diary.
• can act in an entrepreneurial way when needed and observes opportunities in his/her surroundings.
• is able to create a good business model and understands the importance of a business plan.

Assessment criteria - grade 5

• has an excellent knowledge and understanding of business ideation, business planning and establishing a business.
• is able to work constructively and innovatively as a team leader and a team member.
• follows analytically his/her development in a learning diary and aims consciously at constant development.
• is able to make use of different opportunities in his/her surroundings.
• recognises and assesses the entrepreneurial skill requirements well and behaves in an entrepreneurial way himself/herself.
• knows which challenges there are to establish a business and can creatively solve problems.
• is able to plan, develop and assess an operating business by using a business model and he/she can outline a feasible business plan.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

When the implementation type of the course is CONTACT, ONLINE or BLENDED it is required that the student is present during those teaching hours that are marked in the study schedule. If you are absent more than 25 %, your grade will be lowered by one. If you are absent more than 50 %, the course is failed.

Entrepreneurial attitude and actions 100%. Including creating and developing of the business and completion of other assignments. The course is graded on scale 0 – 5.