High School Business Programs and Competitions
High school business programs are beneficial for a variety of reasons. They equip students with critical business skills and information, preparing them for future employment. Finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship are among the core ideas taught in these programs.
Business programs provide students with practical experiences such as internships, competitions, and networking opportunities, allowing them to use their knowledge, gain hands-on experience, and make professional connections. Overall, high school business programs improve students' skills, resumes, and career chances.
This blog post will discuss the various types of business programs as well as tips for making the most of high school business programs.
Types of High School Business Programs
High school business programs can be split into the following categories: Business courses and curriculum, business clubs and organizations, entrepreneurship programs and competitions, business internships and apprenticeships, business workshops and seminars, and business mentorship and networking opportunities.
BUSINESS COURSES AND CURRICULUM:
These programs offer structured classroom-based learning in various business subjects. Students receive instruction on topics such as economics, accounting, marketing, financial literacy, and management. The curriculum is designed to provide a solid foundation in business principles and theories, preparing students for higher education or entry-level business roles. Examples of business courses include:
Introduction to Business: A foundational course that provides an overview of various business disciplines, including marketing, finance, management, and entrepreneurship.
Economics: A course that explores fundamental economic concepts such as supply and demand, market structures, macroeconomics, and microeconomics.
Accounting: A program that introduces students to the principles of financial accounting, including recording transactions, financial statement analysis, and budgeting.
Marketing: A course that focuses on marketing strategies, consumer behavior, advertising, market research, and brand management.
Entrepreneurship: A program that teaches students about the process of starting and managing a business, including business planning, opportunity recognition, and risk management.
Business Clubs and Organizations: The most prominent business clubs in America include Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA).
FBLA
FBLA is the world's largest business career and technical student organization, assisting over 230,000 members each year in their career preparation. Through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences, FBLA inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society. The organization provides you with tools to help you improve your leadership skills, business knowledge, and more. Not only that, but they also give you awards if you excel in a specific area. FBLA also allows you to compete in various events and categories against students from all over the country and the world.
DECA
DECA is a worldwide international organization for high school and college students. DECA prepares future leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges worldwide. DECA ensures that the next generation is academically educated, community-minded, professionally accountable, and has experience in leadership. The educational programs contribute to the success of critical initiatives in education, business, and industry. DECA works to close the skills gap in the twenty-first century by reinforcing vocational and academic criteria established by businesses and industry.
Entrepreneurship Programs and Competitions:
There are many entrepreneurship programs and competitions for high school students to participate in. Some examples include:
Inspirit AI Scholars offers live online programs for high school students interested in computer science and artificial intelligence. Business-minded STEM students can work on AI projects at the intersection of AI and business. For example, past students have created projects that use machine learning for algorithmic trading. You can learn more about student projects here.
The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) organizes the National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, which invites students from across the United States to develop and present their business ideas. The top competitors compete for cash prizes and mentorship opportunities in a national event.
The Conrad Challenge is an annual competition that encourages students to use entrepreneurship and innovation to solve real-world problems. There are several categories available, including aerospace and aviation, cyber-technology and security, energy and the environment, and health and nutrition.
Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is an entrepreneurship program for middle and high school students that lasts a year. Students study business planning, marketing, finance, and other critical entrepreneurial skills. The program concludes with a local pitch competition and the opportunity to advance to the national level.
Future Founders is an organization that provides entrepreneurship programs and competitions to high school students. Two of their programs are the Fellowship, which includes mentoring, networking, and funding opportunities, and the Lemonade Day Chicago business challenge, in which students create and operate their own lemonade stands.
The Junior Achievement Company Program provides students with a hands-on entrepreneurship experience in which they start and run their own businesses. This program teaches students about product development, marketing, sales, and financial management.
TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) Program is an entrepreneurship program that aims to inspire and empower high school students to become the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders. Classroom sessions, mentorship, and a business plan competition are all part of the program.
5 Tips for Making the Most of High School Business Programs
TIP #1: SET CLEAR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Setting clear goals and objectives for what you aim on achieving by participating in high school business programs is crucial to maximizing the opportunity. This will greatly assist in remaining focused and motivated throughout the program. Determine the type of goal you aim to achieve, whether it is to gain a certain level of knowledge in a specific area, improve specific skills, or explore potential career paths.
TIP #2: ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Making the most of high school business programs requires active and dedicated participation. Do your best to participate in discussions, group projects, and hands-on activities whenever possible. By contributing your ideas and perspectives actively during classroom sessions or workshops, you not only understand business concepts more thoroughly, but also develop important skills like teamwork, communication, and critical thinking.
TIP #3: SEEK MENTORSHIP AND GUIDANCE
One of the most valuable aspects of high school business programs is the opportunity to connect with experienced professionals and mentors. At the program, make sure to take the initiative to seek mentorship and guidance from instructors, guest speakers, or alumni with business experience. These individuals can offer valuable insights, advice, and assistance in navigating your career path.
TIP #4: NETWORK WITH PEERS AND PROFESSIONALS:
Networking is one of the most important skills in the business world, and high school business programs offer a unique setting that is designed to begin building your network. Take the time out of your day to connect with other program participants who share your interests and goals. Building a strong network early on can lead to future internships, job opportunities, and collaborations.
TIP #5: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INTERNSHIP AND APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Many high school business programs even provide internship or apprenticeship opportunities to hard working individuals, allowing you to gain hands-on experience in a professional setting. These experiences provide opportunities for hands-on learning, exposure to real-world business practices, and the development of valuable skills. They also improve your resume and your chances of success in future endeavors such as college applications or job interviews.
Summary
In this blog post, we discussed the various types of high school business programs, such as business courses, clubs and organizations, entrepreneurship programs and competitions, internships and apprenticeships, workshops and seminars, and mentorship and networking opportunities. These programs give students valuable skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience.
We encourage readers to investigate high school business programs and seize the opportunities they provide. Participating in these programs can lay the groundwork for future careers in business and related fields.
Participating in high school business programs has long-term benefits. It provides students with critical business skills, promotes innovation and critical thinking, encourages teamwork and collaboration, and offers practical experiences and networking opportunities. These advantages help with personal and professional development, improve resumes, and open doors to future career opportunities.
About Inspirit AI
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
