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Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindset in Chemical Engineering Students Through an Alumni Seminar Series and Alumni-Led Jigsaw Activities

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Conference

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Publication Date

June 22, 2025

Start Date

June 22, 2025

End Date

August 15, 2025

Conference Session

ENT-4: Experiential Approaches to Developing Entrepreneurial Mindsets in Engineering

Tagged Division

Entrepreneurship & Engineering Innovation Division (ENT)

Page Count

13

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/56590

Paper Authors

biography

Stephanie G Wettstein Montana State University - Bozeman

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Stephanie Wettstein is a Professor in the Chemical and Biological Engineering department at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. She is also the Associate Director of the Montana Engineering Education Research Center (MEERC) and a KEEN Community Catalyst.

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Abstract

The development of an entrepreneurial mindset (EM) is critical for engineering students as they prepare to navigate complex, real-world challenges. This project aimed to enhance students' EM by connecting them with early-career professionals through a seminar series and in-class jigsaw activities. In the spring semester of 2024, four alumni, representing diverse career paths in consulting, water treatment, enzyme manufacturing, and data science, participated in a monthly seminar series open to all engineering students. Following each seminar, the alumni collaborated with the course instructor to design and present a jigsaw activity related to their profession in a junior-level, chemical engineering separations course. The jigsaw activities provided a hands-on, problem-solving framework to engage students in the practical application of EM concepts, aligning with the three Cs of curiosity, connections, and creating value.

To assess the impact of these activities, pre- and post-surveys based on EM were administered. Data analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in students’ EM across several factors. For instance, students demonstrated greater confidence in their ability to lead teams and assess the feasibility of new products. Through alumni engagement that emphasized practical applications of engineering concepts and real-world problem-solving, students' EM was enhanced by improving their confidence in leadership, creative thinking, and problem-solving.

Wettstein, S. G. (2025, June), Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindset in Chemical Engineering Students Through an Alumni Seminar Series and Alumni-Led Jigsaw Activities Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . https://peer.asee.org/56590

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