T
he world of work today looks vastly different from what it was one or two decades ago.
In the past, most graduates dreamed of securing stable salaried jobs in the public sector or large corporations. Today, however, many young people are choosing a far more challenging path — entrepreneurship.
This phenomenon is more than just a passing trend; it reflects a real shift in mindset and aspirations among the new generation as they define their own career paths.
In Malaysia, one of the standout figures riding this wave is Khairul Amin Kamarulzaman, better known as Khairul Aming. At just 33, he has not only made a name for himself as a social media influencer but has also built a successful business empire with his sambal products, recording sales in the millions of ringgit.
Khairul Aming continues to serve as a source of inspiration for young people — admired not only for his courage in creating new ideas but also for his creativity and innovation.
DRIVING FACTORS
On the growing trend, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Management and Business, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Dr. Ehsan Fansuree Surin, said there are many reasons why the younger generation prefers entrepreneurship over salaried employment.
He said that while some come from business-oriented families, others venture into entrepreneurship out of passion, the desire to be independent, or due to difficulty in securing jobs.
“Undeniably, some youths are also inspired by their role models or influential figures. They look up to these individuals and aspire to follow in their footsteps as entrepreneurs.
“In addition, economic conditions often compel people to seek alternative sources of income. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many workers who were laid off likely had insufficient savings — and one of the quickest ways to earn an income was through business,” he told Bernama.
According to Ehsan, in the context of a modern economy, relying solely on salaried jobs is no longer sufficient, as the job market has become increasingly competitive and uncertain.
As such, youth participation in entrepreneurship not only benefits them individually but also contributes to reducing unemployment rates and strengthening the local economy.
“Young entrepreneurs have the potential to become key pillars in driving change and boosting competitiveness at the global level.
“With their willingness to take risks and their ability to leverage the latest modern technologies, they are seen as capable of introducing innovation across various economic sectors,” he said.
According to a 2020 report by SME Corporation Malaysia, the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector — largely driven by young entrepreneurs — contributed over 38 per cent to Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This contribution includes job creation, increased exports, and the introduction of competitive new products to the global market.
MOVING IN TANDEM WITH TECHNOLOGY
Elaborating further, Ehsan said the landscape of entrepreneurship is also undergoing major transformation.
Previously, businesses relied heavily on physical stores and conventional marketing methods. Today, however, young entrepreneurs are charting a new course — one powered by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) and the influence of social media.
He explained that IR4.0 has created space for young Malaysians to position themselves as entrepreneurs, while social media has become a platform for them to build influence and reach a wider audience.
“IR4.0 represents an industrial transformation that combines digital and physical technologies, which indirectly changes the way we run businesses.
“Adapting to technology is now essential — in line with IR4.0, young entrepreneurs are expected to be more innovative, efficient and quick when making critical decisions,” he said.
At the same time, Ehsan highlighted that global social media platforms — particularly TikTok — have proven to be highly effective digital marketing tools due to their wide and rapid reach, as well as their visually engaging and creative content that suits a variety of products and services.
“Young entrepreneurs now view TikTok as a goldmine, and it has become the preferred platform for many micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Malaysia to promote and market their products.
“However, it must be used wisely — otherwise they may come across as self-indulgent. They also need to understand their target audience, as not all older consumers use this platform,” he added.
ENTREPRENEURIAL KNOW-HOW
Meanwhile, Director of Technopreneurship at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Associate Professor Sr Dr. Nazirah Mohamad Abdullah, echoed a similar view, affirming that today’s digital technologies and online tools have made it easier than ever for anyone to start a business and venture into entrepreneurship.
She noted that some university students have already become entrepreneurs even before completing their studies.
“In the past, most students only saw professional careers like doctors or engineers as their main goal. Today, they are more open to exploring the world of business. We cannot deny that this shift may have been inspired by the success of young icons like Khairul Aming.
“At UTHM, I observe more and more students who do not wait until graduation to start a business — some already have their own products and brands while still studying,” she said.
However, she emphasised that academic knowledge alone is not enough to shape a successful entrepreneur. It must be supported through practical experience, continuous training, mentorship, access to technology, and opportunities to network with industry players.
She said industry exposure and relevant skills must be prioritised to serve as a bridge for graduate entrepreneurs, enabling their products and services to penetrate real markets.
As such, she believes the move to make entrepreneurship education compulsory across all programmes — coupled with the establishment of entrepreneurship development centres in educational institutions — is crucial in inspiring the younger generation. Indirectly, it helps shape students’ mindsets to be more courageous, creative and open to business opportunities.
“At UTHM, we have established business and technology incubators as platforms for students and graduates to test and develop their ideas with the support of mentors, facilities and industry networks.
“Through these incubators, young entrepreneurs not only receive guidance on business aspects but also have the chance to collaborate with external companies to bring their products to the actual market. Initiatives like these prove that university–industry collaboration is key to ensuring that young entrepreneurs become more competitive and sustainable in the long run,” she said.
GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES
Nazirah said government-initiated programmes play a crucial role in guiding and empowering young entrepreneurs — whether through skills training, access to financing or marketing support — ultimately providing them with a solid foundation for growth.
She noted that these government programmes complement one another and have had a significant impact in producing new entrepreneurs, many of whom come from the younger generation.
Among them is the Maju Usahawan MADANI programme, which aims to promote inclusive, sustainable and ethical entrepreneurial development, in line with the values upheld by the MADANI government.
The programme not only focuses on technical skills training but also instils resilience and integrity — traits that are vital in the world of business.
In addition, she said the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030 (DKN 2030) is seen as the nation’s key blueprint in building an inclusive, progressive and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The policy emphasises capacity building among entrepreneurs, the empowerment of technology-driven innovation, greater access to global markets and financing facilities, while encouraging more youth to participate actively in entrepreneurship.
“The Higher Education Entrepreneurship Action Plan by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) further complements these efforts. It takes a holistic approach — not only focusing on business knowledge and skills, but also talent development, stronger industry linkages and ecosystem support that enables students to commercialise their ideas and products.
“The synergy between DKN 2030 and KPT’s Entrepreneurship Action Plan clearly shows that our national education system is shifting towards producing graduates who are not merely job seekers, but job creators capable of competing at national and global levels,” she added.
At the same time, she urged young people to seize the opportunities already provided by the government, especially during their time in higher education institutions (IPTs).
According to Nazirah, almost all universities now offer various forms of entrepreneurial support — whether through courses, seed grants, mentorship or industry collaboration.
“This is an opportunity the younger generation must not overlook. Universities are no longer just places of learning — they are breeding grounds for future entrepreneurs who can compete in the global market,” she said.
-- BERNAMA
