Annually, the Tuck Executive Education School at Dartmouth College selects highly competitive applicants, comprising of elite athletes and military veterans to attend the Tuck Next Step: Transition to Business program. This is a highly rigorous and fast paced MBA curriculum that prepares military veterans for careers in business and entrepreneurship. Moreover, this program exposes learners to finance, leadership, marketing, and strategy -- while harnessing the innovative potential of learners through design thinking. For those military veterans with entrepreneurial aspirations, this program prepares learners through "Entrepreneurial Thinking" frameworks.

In addition, learners have the opportunity to participate in an entertaining activity called "Shark Tank" which empowers future entrepreneurs to pitch their business concepts. During the tenure of the program, military veterans have unlimited chances to network with distinguished instructors, staff, and their peers. Upon completion of the course, learners graduate with a certification in general management -- which in turn opens doors for employment opportunities. Irrespective of the program's intent to develop learners for a career in business or entrepreneurship, the program develops intrapreneurial skills within learners. These skills are vital to all positions in higher education and other industries.

What Is Intrapreneurship? Why Is It Relevant for Career Advancement?

As we dive into the specification of intrapreneurship, we must examine its origin. Intrapreneurship is not a new concept or application. It was invented in 1978 by the husband-and-wife team Dr. Gifford Pinchot and Elizabeth Pinchot in their white paper called "Intra-Corporate Entrepreneurship" which describes intrapreneurship as a system that empowers an employee to become an entrepreneur, within their places of employment. In February 1985, Time Magazine published an article called "Here Come the Intrapreneurs" which raised awareness in the business world about the idea. Approximately seven-years later "intrapreneur" was published in the American Heritage dictionary.

Let us examine the functions of intrapreneurship and its relationship to entrepreneurship. The ambition of an entrepreneur entails developing an enterprise, for the purpose of providing goods or services. In contrast, an intrapreneur will explore "best practices" to develop or enhance standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, staff development/training, and technologies to sustain and expand their company. Intrapreneurs are the quintessential "movers" and "shakers" in their organizations. Irrespective of their positional ranks, any employee can become an intrapreneur. While they are expected to carry out daily deliverables for their assigned occupations, intrapreneurship provides employees with agency and independence for creativity and innovation. For this purpose, becoming an intrapreneur will advance careers, through the acquisition of executive leadership skills, strategic networking/partnership, and obtaining prominence within the company.

How Does the Tuck Next Step Program Develop Intrapreneurship Skills for Learners?

The curriculum provides training in the following courses: innovation, leadership, and management. Additionally, the syllabus, modules, and interactions with peers and instructors develop or enhance creative learners as intrapreneurs. Similarly to other programs offered at the Tuck Executive Education at Dartmouth, the Next Step program, "teaches professionals how to innovate and drive change within an existing organization by providing actionable tools to navigate challenges and capitalize on new opportunities."

Why Is Intrapreneurship a Crucial Skill for Careers in Higher Education?

Luckily, the Tuck Next Step program at Dartmouth cultivates intrapreneurs because veterans who work in higher education generally are self-starters. They are the quintessential initiative takers; moreover, they consistently suggest new ideas within their departmental meetings. In addition, veteran higher education administrators find success in their positions -- resulting in impactful achievements. For this purpose, senior higher education administrators can improve employee morale by facilitating an intrapreneurial culture. Accordingly, this action can be achieved through loosening restrictive working environments to allow creativity to flow. With an increase in employee morale, higher education administrators can better identify intrapreneurs within their sections. Finally, intrapreneurship benefits colleges and universities in all aspects of their functionalities, resulting in increased agility and revenue streams.

How Can One Apply to the Tuck Next Step Program?

Applications are accepted in two rounds:

• Applications received by November 7 will receive an admissions decision by November 21.
• Applications received by January 9 will receive an admissions decision by January 16.

Intrapreneurship is not a new term, and the system allows innovation amongst its employees. Creative and self-starting individuals who thrive by developing and improving internal infrastructures within their companies will benefit from the Next Step Program at Dartmouth. It will cultivate intrapreneurship skills for veterans aspiring for career advancement.

Republish this article for free. We want to make it easier for you to share knowledge and creativity, and encourage you to reuse our articles under a Creative Commons license.