Microgreen Production: Entering a New Market Toward Social Good

This research is part of a semester-long project from undergraduate students at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, NY. The theme emerges from a pedagogical philosophy that an essential learning outcome of their undergraduate studies is the significant influence that business has upon society while working with a local nonprofit. For example, having students enter into the business world with an integrated disposition that encompasses not only the need for qualifying skill sets, but that of ethical and social leadership should be prevalent among today’s business leaders. The learning activity leading to the learning outcome is requiring the undergraduate business students to experience this type of real-world project. The students are presented with an opportunity to study pressing issues that are present within their assigned non-profit and they are to collectively make a set of solution-driven recommendations that will ultimately lead to social good

The Changing Face of Entrepreneurship

In most developed countries today, having a work force with skill sets in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are seen as essential to long-term economic growth. In many countries, the demand for STEM workers is expected to grow faster than any other occupation over the next decade. Yet the research shows that females are underrepresented in STEM-related fields. The numbers of females entering into STEM careers is generally lower than males, but there are countries where females account for a greater percentage than males in other fields or occupations. In the U.S. women continue to be underrepresented in STEM careers even though they account for more than half the college-educated work force. The workforce requires an increase in female participation in STEM occupations as we transition towards a more global economy. Today there are more women starting their own business, and assuming management roles in companies and large organizations. Research indicates that females, as entrepreneurs and innovators, are just as successful as their male counterparts. Females attending universities to pursue a degree in a STEM-related discipline is now on the rise, a trend that is vital both economically and socially. A survey was administered in Europe and the United States to help identify the barriers women face entering STEM careers, and to better understand the challenges from an entrepreneurial perspective