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Mentoring the Future Entrepreneurs: An Exploration of Female Students’ Perceptions

Author

Listed:
  • Henna A. Qureshi

    (Department of Behaviorual Sciences, National University of Sciences & Technology)

  • Maheen Imtiaz

    (Department of Behaviorual Sciences, National University of Sciences & Technology)

  • Maham Mughal

    (Department of Behaviorual Sciences, National University of Sciences & Technology)

  • Ali Qureshi

    (Department of Behaviorual Sciences, National University of Sciences & Technology)

  • Maleeha Qureshi

    (Department of Behaviorual Sciences, National University of Sciences & Technology)

  • Nadeem Iqbal

    (Department of Behaviorual Sciences, National University of Sciences & Technology)

  • Raania Siddiqui

    (Department of Behaviorual Sciences, National University of Sciences & Technology)

  • Naima Zubair

    (Department of Behaviorual Sciences, National University of Sciences & Technology)

  • Kaneez Zehra

    (Department of Behaviorual Sciences, National University of Sciences & Technology)

Abstract

Entrepreneurship courses in Pakistan, designed in line with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) guidelines, aim to encourage university graduates to pursue entrepreneurial career pathways. Despite their comprehensive structure, these courses overlook a key component that is closely tied to entrepreneurial success: mentoring. This study primarily explores how female graduate students perceive mentoring and its potential value when integrated into entrepreneurship education. Adopting a qualitative exploratory design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen female graduate students from three major Pakistani cities who had completed an entrepreneurship course. The data were examined using Reflexive Thematic Analysis as outlined by Braun and Clarke (2021). The findings of the study highlight that female undergraduate students consider mentoring an essential support mechanism during entrepreneurship training. The study concludes that embedding mentoring within entrepreneurship curricula could play a significant role in enhancing female students’ personal growth and professional readiness.

Suggested Citation

  • Henna A. Qureshi & Maheen Imtiaz & Maham Mughal & Ali Qureshi & Maleeha Qureshi & Nadeem Iqbal & Raania Siddiqui & Naima Zubair & Kaneez Zehra, 2026. "Mentoring the Future Entrepreneurs: An Exploration of Female Students’ Perceptions," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 10(2), pages 3880-3894, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:10:y:2026:i:2:p:3880-3894
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gulvira Akybayeva & Ainash Mussabekova & Sagynysh Mambetova & Meiramgul Ayaganova & Aliya Koitanova, 2024. "The Impact of Female Entrepreneurship on Economic Growth in Developing and Developed Economies," Economics, Sciendo, vol. 12(2), pages 145-162.
    2. Ikram Abbes, 2024. "Shaping Entrepreneurial Intentions Through Education: An Empirical Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-19, November.
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