Entrepreneurs

Learn more about the career paths and life stories of well-known entrepreneurs by visiting https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-theory/10/the-10-greatest-entrepreneurs.asp, https://www.biographyonline.net/business/top-10-entrepreneurs.html, https://www.ceotodaymagazine.com/2020/01/the-most-powerful-entrepreneurs-in-modern-history, and other Web sites.

Join student clubs such as Junior Achievement (https://jausa.ja.org) to learn about business and entrepreneurism via classes, career fairs, and interactions with business professionals. One noteworthy program is the JA Company Program–Pop-Up, which “teaches students how to plan, launch, and operate their own business venture within a structured, guided experience. Throughout the start-up process, students collaborate, make crucial business decisions, practice communication skills, and develop entrepreneurial knowledge and skills within a streamlined, teacher-led experience.” Other organizations to check out include Future Business Leaders of America (https://www.fbla.org) and Business Professionals of America (http://bpa.org)

Participate in summer exploration camps in entrepreneurship, business, and other fields that are offered by colleges and universities, professional organizations, and other providers. For example, the National Student Leadership Conference offers a summer business and entrepreneurship program at several universities. During the program, participants learn about the rewards and challenges of running their own simulated company; learn about topics such as creating a business plan, business accounting and finance, marketing, and financing the entrepreneurial venture; attend business lectures; and tour businesses. Visit https://www.nslcleaders.org for more information.

You should also participate in student competitions to build your skills and meet people with shared interests. SkillsUSA is a national membership organization for middle school, high school, and college students who are interested in pursuing careers in technical, trade, and skilled service occupations. It offers an entrepreneurship competition in which participants develop business plans that identify needed products or services in a local market. They also give oral presentations based on their written plans and answer questions from a team of judges regarding typical challenges faced by entrepreneurs during their first year of business. Visit http://www.skillsusa.org for more information.

Other ways to learn more about the field include joining your school’s business or entrepreneurism club, launching your own business, and participating in information interviews and in job shadowing experiences with entrepreneurs.