Impact of entrepreneurship teaching in higher education on the employability of scientists and engineers Simon O’Leary Abstract: This paper explores the impact effective entrepreneurship teaching has on the employability of scientists and engineers. Business teaching, guest speakers and work placements are part of many science and engineering degrees and this research indicates that entrepreneurship and related issues are also being addressed in a variety of ways and having a positive impact on student employability. It also benefits several other stakeholders, including the higher education institution, potential employers and government. This study aims to provide guidance on ways to improve entrepreneurship teaching for scientists and engineers in higher education, so that their employability is enhanced through the ‘3Cs’ – content, capability and character. Keywords: impact; entrepreneurship; teaching; employability; scientist; engineer Simon O’Leary is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Business & Management, Regent’s College London, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NS, UK. E-mail: olearys@regents.ac.uk . The aim of this study is to add to the knowledge in the field through investigating the impact of entrepreneurship teaching on the employability of scientists and engineers. This is a foundation article for a series of research activities to construct and validate a conceptual framework intended not only to illustrate the impact on the employability of scientists and engineers but also to identify ways of improving the teaching of entrepreneurship and related business issues to science and engineering students. Business teaching is already a component of many science and engineering degrees which often include a range of compulsory or optional modules with titles containing words such as business, industry, economics, finance, enterprise and entrepreneurship. In addition, companies often give presentations on business issues for science and engineering students; and work placements are a common element in many programmes across the sector. This article synthesizes findings from a number of secondary sources and proposes a way forward in a new area of study concerning the extent of entrepreneurship-related content in science and engineering courses at higher education institutions; the provision through professional bodies; and an assessment of companies in order to understand better their expectations of science and engineering graduates. The research indicates that entrepreneurship and related business issues are addressed in many science INDUSTRY & HIGHER EDUCATION Vol 26, No 6, December 2012, pp 431–442, doi: 10.5367/ihe.2012.0128