Social networks in university education for global tech entrepreneurship and employability

Abstract

The use of social networks has been a recurring theme in recent times. Studies indicate that, despite the fact that young people are intensive consumers of digital content, there is a lack of digital and entrepreneurial skills among them. More specifically, focusing on the university population, greater technological literacy would boost the so called technoentrepreneurship, which would also extend internationally, as a new line of employability. To this end, it is important to know the consumption habits of young university students of different media, the purpose for which they consume social networks (SM) and what type and to evaluate how they prioritise them. Therefore, this research proposes to analyse the specific use of SM for educational and professional purposes by university students. The empirical study was carried out with a sample taken from a Spanish university that promotes national and international talent and fosters entrepreneurship. The analysis of data obtained through an anonymous survey distributed online was carried out using the Rasch model. The results show that students, being active users of digital media in general, use SM mainly to expand their network of contacts and to be in touch with companies. They also use this channel to share learning. However, they do not prioritise the use of SM to improve their academic background or practical and digital skills. These results serve to contribute to the knowledge on how to exploit the use of digital media to increase job opportunities for university graduates.