Page 157 - 1-Entrepreneurship and Local Economic Development by Norman Walzer (z-lib.org)

146 Craig Schroeder

ventures. The chapter concludes with several key points to consider on this
topic.

EMERGING TRENDS

A 1994, national Gallup survey commissioned by the Ewing Marion Kauf-
mann Foundation, reported that 69 percent of high school students have an
interest in starting their own business (Walstad 1994). Work around the
country indicates that a growing number of young people view entrepre-
neurship as a desirable career path, seeking entrepreneurship classes in their
school and starting microbusinesses as early as elementary school age
(RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship 2006). In particular, rural youth
are keenly aware that markets can now be successfully reached even from
the most remote community. As public access to the Internet approaches
only its second decade, young people accept instantaneous global network-
ing via the Internet and cell phones as the norm, and entrepreneurial youth
who embrace technology are becoming resources for communities seeking
to participate in the networked economy.
Another encouraging trend documented by the RUPRI youth survey work
in rural communities is that a large percentage of junior high, high school,
and college students would like to return to their hometowns if good career
opportunities were available. It is common for more than 60 percent of
teenage respondents to report such a desire, yet a much smaller percentage
perceive that such opportunities actually exist for them (RUPRI Center for
Rural Entrepreneurship 2006).
Field experience indicates that a systems approach is vital to moving from
a set of interesting activities to a strategy that can impact youth out-migration
trends and lead to social and economic revitalization. System design and il-
lustrations from community-based work will be provided later.

RETHINKING YOUR GAME PLAN

Community leaders concerned about the impact of youth out-migration
trends must rethink their strategy options, beginning with an understand-
ing of young peoples’ preferences for entrepreneurial careers and desire to
be part of their community now and in the future. The emerging trends just
discussed, when combined with youth engagement strategies, can create
significant opportunities to revitalize a community both socially and eco-
nomically. Before exploring these opportunities and how to effectively en-
gage young entrepreneurs as difference makers in the future of a commu-
nity, young peoples’ characteristics should be examined.