Abstract:

Contemporary education faces the challenge of not only developing professional competencies but also cultivating transferable skills that enable graduates to apply their knowledge and skills purposefully across various fields and to continually enhance them for personal well-being, professional growth, and societal benefit. The key competencies defined by the European Commission (2019) form the foundation for individuals to navigate diverse work and personal life situations.

Current job market and competency requirements:
The largest job creation and destruction effects come from environmental, technological and economic trends. Entrants to today’s job market are characterised by engagement in multiple professions across various industries, frequently transitioning between positions within institutions, regions, and sectors. This dynamic necessitates a diverse set of transferable competencies, including critical thinking, self-management, adaptability, resilience to stress and setbacks, organizational and action-taking skills, as well as an entrepreneurial mindset (World Economic Forum, 2023).

Challenges and opportunities for higher education:
Higher education institutions struggle with the question of how to motivate students to think and act with a long-term perspective? Which practical learning activities could and should be provided to prepare them for life-long learning and future labour market?

Significance of personal leadership and leadership skills:
Personal Leadership is the capacity to take responsibility for one's life and envision the future, encompassing self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. It also requires the ability to manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviours to achieve desired goals. While "Leadership" is a broader concept encompassing leadership skills at different levels, "Personal Leadership" specifically focuses on the individual level, emphasising the importance of self-management. Both concepts are vital, as strengthening personal leadership can lead to more effective cooperation and organisational leadership.

Practical approach at TTK University of Applied Sciences in Estonia:
The Entrepreneurial Mindset Inspiration Day at TTK UAS serves as a practical approach to develop students' project management skills and improves a variety of transferable skills, e.g., problem-solving, personal leadership, creativity, critical thinking, cooperation, and communication skills. A student-led organizing team gains practical project management experience in event management. Students, in the role of project management and sub-team leaders, have the opportunity to significantly enhance their self-leadership and leadership skills. These skills serve as a stepping stone for developing essential collaboration abilities and improving self-management for future professional endeavours.

Focus interviews and preliminary results:
The article aims to explore the impact of the Entrepreneurial Mindset Inspiration Day leadership and leadership skill development. Through focus interviews conducted with project leaders from 2021-2023, their perceptual development in Personal Leadership and Leadership skills are mapped. Initial results indicate that the event is a valuable experience for both personal growth and leadership competency development.

Keywords:

Personal Leadership, Leadership, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Project Management Training.