Publications
Publications
- September 2017 (Revised January 2019)
- HBS Case Collection
Public Entrepreneurs? Picking a Path
By: Mitchell Weiss and Matthew Segneri
Abstract
Direct entry into government remained an uncommon post-HBS path, with only 1%–2% of recent classes going directly into the public sector. But, for public-minded MBAs, government wasn’t the sole province for public problem-solving. MBAs could join or launch companies that sell to government (or directly to citizens), lead venture funds, operate as ecosystem partners, and more. What felt like a new array of opportunities, though, raised a host of additional questions: What does a career path for a public entrepreneur actually look like? In which sector (private vs. public) should I start? Should I run for elective office? What does that imply for how I pursue my career? And often, and perhaps especially, what do I need in order to be able to move back and forth between sectors? In the spring of 2017, four students in the MBA class felt incredibly fortunate. After two years of business school, strong opportunities awaited each of them. None was wanting for work. However, they still had to decide which posts to take at the moment, if any at all.
Keywords
Public Entrepreneurship; Careers; Tri-sector Athlete; Job Searching; Government Innovation; Govtech; CivicTech; Civic Technology; Civic Innovation; Government Technology; MBA Class Of 2017; Social Enterprise; Social Entrepreneurship; Public Sector; Government Administration; Job Search; Jobs and Positions; Innovation Leadership; Technology Industry; Public Administration Industry; United States
Citation
Weiss, Mitchell, and Matthew Segneri. "Public Entrepreneurs? Picking a Path." Harvard Business School Case 818-005, September 2017. (Revised January 2019.)