Automation is no longer a distant possibility. It’s here, it’s accelerating, and it’s changing how we work, live, and build businesses. For students preparing for college in 2026, one question stands out: What should I study if I want to succeed as an entrepreneur in a world powered by automation?

Let’s unpack the skills, knowledge areas, and degree paths that matter most in this fast-changing era—and how you can prepare to thrive in it.

Why Automation Changes the Game for Entrepreneurs

In previous decades, entrepreneurs built businesses around people-powered processes. Today, the landscape is different. Robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and smart systems are replacing repetitive tasks and even some creative functions.

That sounds like a threat—but for entrepreneurs, it’s an opportunity. Automation:
• Lowers the cost of doing business
• Speeds up product development
• Enhances decision-making through data
• Enables lean startups to scale quickly

The challenge? Entrepreneurs need to know how to use automation strategically—not compete with it.

The New Entrepreneurial Skillset

If you’re planning your college path now, you’ll enter the job market around 2030. That’s well into what experts are calling the Fourth Industrial Revolution. So, what should you study to stay relevant?

Focus on programs that teach the following:

1. Technology Literacy
You don’t need to become a programmer (unless you want to), but you do need to understand:

• How automation tools work
• What AI can and can’t do
• How APIs, platforms, and cloud systems support innovation
Courses in information systems, basic coding, data analytics, and product management help you build this fluency.

2. Business Fundamentals
Automation won’t replace the need for strategy, leadership, or financial thinking. Strong entrepreneurs still need to master:

• Business modeling
• Marketing and customer research
• Finance and accounting
• Operations and logistics
Look for a degree that covers these core pillars while allowing you to specialize later.

3. Human-Centered Design
As machines handle more tasks, what makes a business stand out is how it serves people. Learn how to:

• Solve real customer problems
• Apply design thinking
• Build user-centric products and services
• Degrees that integrate UX, behavioral economics, or innovation management will serve you well.

4. Critical Thinking and Adaptability
Automation evolves fast. You’ll need to pivot often. Programs that emphasize case studies, simulations, and project-based learning will help you:

• Make better decisions
• Think through trade-offs
• Lead in uncertain environments

Your major should challenge you to think, not just memorize.

Top Fields to Consider

Not every “entrepreneurship” degree looks the same. Some are general, others are integrated across disciplines. As you search, here are five academic areas worth considering:

1. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programs
These degrees are designed for aspiring founders. The best ones go beyond theory. They offer:

• Startup incubators
• Pitch competitions
• Access to mentors and investors
• Real-world entrepreneurship labs

Look for programs that connect students with actual startup ecosystems—not just classroom lectures.

2. Business Administration with a Tech or Sustainability Track
A classic business degree remains valuable—but only if it evolves with the times. Schools now offer:

• Digital business or e-commerce tracks
• Sustainability and circular economy modules
• Electives in data-driven decision-making

Choose a program that lets you tailor your path toward future-proof industries.

3. Information Systems or Technology Management
Want to bridge the gap between business and automation? Study information systems. You’ll learn:

• System architecture
• Workflow automation tools
• Digital transformation strategies

It’s ideal for future founders who want to build tech-enabled startups—without majoring in computer science.

4. Design and Multimedia Entrepreneurship
Creative businesses—from content platforms to product design studios—still thrive in the age of automation. But they now require:

• Digital tools mastery (e.g., AI-assisted design, 3D printing)
• Entrepreneurial branding
• Online customer experience design

A hybrid design-entrepreneurship program can prepare you to lead in this space.

5. Sustainability and Social Enterprise
Automation isn’t just a tech story. It’s part of a bigger conversation about the future of work, environmental impact, and inclusive economies.

If you want to build ventures that solve social or environmental problems, look for programs focused on:

• Impact entrepreneurship
• ESG frameworks
• Green business models

These programs teach you how to build mission-driven companies that scale.

Certifications That Give You an Edge

Your degree gives you a foundation, but certifications can boost your profile and keep your skills current.

Consider supplementing your studies with credentials in:

• Google Analytics or Meta Blueprint (for digital marketing)
• Lean Startup or Agile methodologies
• Data analysis tools like Power BI or Tableau
• AI fundamentals from IBM or Google

Micro-credentials show that you’re ready to apply what you’ve learned—in real time.

The Role of Internships and Real-World Experience

Automation tools may make businesses more efficient, but entrepreneurship is still personal.

That’s why hands-on experience matters. Prioritize programs that offer:

• Global internships
• Startup accelerators or pitch competitions
• Close industry partnerships
• Opportunities to shadow founders or join venture-building teams

The more time you spend solving real problems during college, the stronger your entrepreneurial instincts will be.

What to Ask When Choosing a College

Before committing to any program, ask these questions:

• Does the school integrate automation, AI, or digital tools into its curriculum?
• Are faculty members actively engaged in business or innovation projects?
• What kind of career support or incubation services are offered?
• Can you study abroad or work with international companies?
• Are there student-led organizations focused on entrepreneurship?

The answers will tell you if a school prepares you for today’s business world—or the one from ten years ago.

Future Industries Ripe for Automation-Driven Entrepreneurship

If you’re still wondering what kind of business you might start, here are five areas expected to grow rapidly:

1. AI-Powered Services – Personalized coaching, virtual assistants, adaptive learning
2. Sustainable Tech – Clean energy, smart agriculture, upcycling platforms
3. Health and Wellness – Remote diagnostics, mental health tech, biohacking
4. Digital Learning – EdTech platforms, cohort-based courses, career upskilling
5. Smart Commerce – Automated fulfillment, AI-curated shopping, VR retail

Study a field that aligns with your interest—but build the skills to automate and scale.

Final Thoughts: Entrepreneurship is a Mindset

Automation will reshape every industry, but it won’t replace vision, curiosity, or courage.

That’s what entrepreneurship is at its core: spotting an opportunity and building something around it. Whether you launch your own company or lead innovation inside another one, the mindset stays the same.

So choose a program that equips you not just with tools, but with the confidence to invent, adapt, and lead.

Where You Study Matters

At Enderun Colleges, entrepreneurship isn’t just a subject—it’s a campus-wide culture. With mentorship from experienced founders, international internship opportunities, and degree programs that blend business, design, and technology, Enderun prepares students to launch future-forward ventures in a global context.

It’s one example of how a college can shape the kind of entrepreneur the world needs in the age of automation.