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From Startup to Success: Using Gen Z Entrepreneurs to Teach Economics

Author

Listed:
  • Milovanska-Farrington, Stefani

    (The University of Tampa)

  • Mateer, Dirk

    (University of Texas at Austin)

Abstract

This paper builds upon the work of McCaffrey (2016) who explores how economics can enhance entrepreneurship education. We extended the work of McCaffrey in two distinct ways. First, we emphasize the economic understanding every private enterprise needs to be successful. Second, we developed teaching guides which feature three successful Gen Z entrepreneurs – Max Hayden, Mikaila Ulmer, and Alexandr Wang. Their stories embody business acumen and the entrepreneurial ability necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing world. The lessons build upon the work of Milovanska-Farrington et al. (2023) and DeWind et al. (2023) who illustrate foundation-level economic concepts in an engaging way that resonates with Gen Z students.

Suggested Citation

  • Milovanska-Farrington, Stefani & Mateer, Dirk, 2025. "From Startup to Success: Using Gen Z Entrepreneurs to Teach Economics," IZA Discussion Papers 17638, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17638
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Barbara J. Phipps & Robert J. Strom & William J. Baumol, 2012. "Principles of Economics Without the Prince of Denmark," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(1), pages 58-71, January.
    2. Amel Ben Abdesslem, 2022. "Teaching Macroeconomics Through Music," Journal of Economics Teaching, Journal of Economics Teaching, vol. 7(3), pages 200-216, October.
    3. Wooten, Jadrian J. & Geerling, Wayne & Calma, Angelito, 2021. "Diversifying the use of pop culture in the classroom: Using K-pop to teach principles of economics," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    4. C. Praag & Peter Versloot, 2007. "What is the value of entrepreneurship? A review of recent research," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 29(4), pages 351-382, December.
    5. Carrasco-Gallego, José A., 2017. "Introducing economics to millennials," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 19-29.
    6. Wayne Geerling, 2012. "Bringing the 'Dismal Science' to Life: Teaching Economics Through Multimedia," International Review of Economic Education, Economics Network, University of Bristol, vol. 11(2), pages 81-90.
    7. Calvin A. Kent & Francis W. Rushing, 1999. "Coverage of Entrepreneurship in Principles of Economics Textbooks: An Update," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(2), pages 184-188, January.
    8. Jadrian J. Wooten, 2018. "Economics media library," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(4), pages 364-365, October.
    9. Matthew McCaffrey, 2016. "Bridging the Gap between Entrepreneurship Teaching and Economics," Journal of Private Enterprise, The Association of Private Enterprise Education, vol. 31(Fall 2016), pages 77-91.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    entrepreneurs; principles of economics; private enterprise; Gen Z; Max Hayden; Mikaila Ulmer; Alexandr Wang;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A20 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - General
    • A21 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Pre-college

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