Future proof your career with entrepreneurial thinking

Dr. Oleks Osiyevskyy is passionate about entrepreneurial thinking. From his early career in computer science, he has innovated and applied entrepreneurial thinking to solve problems he sees around him.

“Entrepreneurial thinking isn’t just about startups. It’s solving real problems you see in the world around you,” says Osiyevskyy, PhD'14, a professor in the Haskayne School of Business and an associate dean, policy and program development, in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, at the University of Calgary.

As the new academic director of entrepreneurial thinking in the Office of Signature Learning Experiences (OSLE), he believes that skills in problem solving and innovation benefit students in future proofing their careers. In an age of rapidly shifting technology and generative artificial intelligence, people who notice problems around them, and use creativity to come up with innovative solutions, make themselves invaluable.

And it’s not just about monetization or new ventures. Osiyevskyy says entrepreneurial thinking moves society forward.

“In the future, we’ll all be entrepreneurs, whether you consider yourself one or not,” he says.

“Entrepreneurial thinking is about becoming agents of change to make the world a better place.”

For Osiyevskyy, that kind of innovation and change are everywhere — in industry and startups, yes, but also, in non-profits and public organizations. That’s why he says he’s so excited to work with faculties across campus to embed entrepreneurial thinking into all disciplines.

“These are transferable skills that are about empathy and noticing problems around you,” he says.

“Entrepreneurial thinking should be practised anywhere.”

Osiyevskyy emphasizes that universities need to provide opportunities for students to learn skills through experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting. It’s why he accepted this new role, and be part of the work that the Signature Learning Experiences office is doing to expand experiential learning for students.

“We’re providing experiences to students, not just knowledge,” he says.

Along with Osiyevskyy and OSLE, a team from UCalgary is prepared to do just that. As part of the objective of the university's Ahead of Tomorrow strategic plan to expand programming focused on entrepreneurial thinking, research and creative scholarship, a new micro-credential in entrepreneurial thinking is being developed. Ready for Entrepreneurial Thinking, a free course, will be open to every undergraduate student at the university, and will earn them an official UCalgary badge after completion. In the future, the hope is to offer this micro-credential to the rest of the UCalgary community.

The micro-credential is just one more way for students to learn critical skills in creativity, innovation and problem solving. Osiyevskyy is optimistic about the future for UCalgary students, and collaborating with colleagues across campus to embed entrepreneurial thinking in every area.

“This is the university to be at for innovation and creating change," Osiyevskyy says. "Entrepreneurship requires connection, and getting support for ideas. We can’t make change alone.”