The Influence of Entrepreneurship Education and Motivation to Entrepreneurial Intention of Young Professionals in Cotabato Province

Entrepreneurial Intention holds a significant influence in the process of entrepreneurship. It is the initial stage that motivates young professionals to initiate their ventures. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial motivation as antecedents of entrepreneurial intention and how the Theory of Planned Behavior is being anchored during this study process. This quantitative study employs the descriptive correlation design to examine the 100 responses from young professionals with a business education degree in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. Snowball sampling technique and adaptive survey questionnaire are used, which ensures the precision of this study. Findings unveiled the profound importance of Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Motivation with Entrepreneurial Intention reflected by its p-value of less than 0.05. Specifically, Entrepreneurship Education emerged as a key influencer of Entrepreneurial Intention, with a beta coefficient of 0.67 (p < 0.00). Respondents expressed a strong desire to start a business, encouragement and education are needed to translate intention into action. The study confirms a positive correlation between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial motivation to entrepreneurial intention, suggesting that equipping young professionals with business knowledge and skills can significantly boost their confidence and entrepreneurial spirit. Entrepreneurship education appears to be the stronger influence compared to motivation, highlighting its crucial role in fostering future entrepreneurs and equipping them with knowledge by turning experience into action. The findings support Ajzen's theory, emphasizing the importance of education in shaping entrepreneurial intention.