ABSTRACT
This paper investigates the intricate association amid employability services and entrepreneurial purpose amid graduate students in the rural areas of Thanjavur District. As contemporary employment landscapes evolve, understanding the interconnection between employability and entrepreneurship becomes crucial. The study focuses on the distinctive rural context, where traditional values intersect with modern aspirations. Employability skills are explored, emphasizing adaptability, effective communication, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership potential, continuous learning, and emotional intelligence. Entrepreneurial intention is examined in terms of autonomy, innovativeness, opportunity recognition, risk-taking propensity, and self-efficacy. The research aims to contribute insights into the specific employability skills influencing entrepreneurial intentions in rural settings. The results indicate positive impacts of risk-taking propensity, innovativeness, desire for autonomy, networking skills, persistence, and social capital on entrepreneurial intention, while certain employability skills exhibit negative influences. Variables such as adaptability, continuous learning, and leadership show no impact on either employability or entrepreneurial intention. The findings provide guidance for tailored interventions, educational strategies, and policies to foster entrepreneurship in rural areas, contributing to local economic development and job creation.
