Interests In Business And Entrepreneurship In High School Can Lead To Exciting Career Opportunities
By Layla McMurtry, Stride Student Advisor
Entrepreneurship has always been a career pathway that naturally appeals to me. Both of my parents are entrepreneurs, and the idea of working towards financial freedom has been engrained in me from a very early age. My mother owns her own accounting firm, which I have worked with since I was twelve years old. During those years, I have been able to observe how non-profit, for-profit, and religious organizations operate. I have also gained expertise on what to do, and not to do, from a financial perspective.
My father has consistently worked in public relations, communications, and the political arena… and he owns his own consulting firm. He has provided me with guidance about professionalism and interacting with people in the business sector. In addition to the continual inspiration and business-related knowledge, which I have received from my parents, I have done plenty of research regarding the “ins and outs” of entrepreneurship.
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Owning and operating a business can be an extremely intimidating feat. Yet, I believe the potential benefits outweigh the upfront risks and sacrifices. One main potential benefit of entrepreneurship is general freedom… financial freedom, freedom to create my own schedule, and freedom to build my own staff-base. I have always been interested in making the most out of life, and maximizing my liberation, and entrepreneurship has the potential to provide me with the opportunity to achieve those goals.
Another potential benefit of entrepreneurship is the ability to test, motivate, and push myself. Any job opportunity provides people with the ability to do the aforementioned, yet entrepreneurship is unique because the majority of the responsibility would fall on me. I believe I have numerous qualities necessary for leadership, such as effective communication skills, open-mindedness, and dependability. And, I am eager to test my skills and develop into a powerful businesswoman.
The Stride Career Prep program has greatly assisted me in my personal and professional development. My parents decided to enroll me into the Wisconsin Virtual Academy (a Stride K12-powered school) when I was entering kindergarten. Wisconsin Virtual Academy began mentioning Destinations Career Academy as an option for students who already knew what career track they were interested in pursuing. I enrolled into Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin in 11th grade, immediately after hearing about certain business-related courses that they offered, through the Business Pathway. I was nervous about making the switch because WIVA was the only school I knew, and I was also nervous about taking the plunge to actively begin developing business-sector skills.
All my counselors and teachers were extremely helpful, by assisting me with picking out courses and with making sure I had a clear understanding of the course content for Business. The first pathway course I took was “Marketing 1.” I thoroughly enjoyed the course and was able to further confirm my interest in business, and marketing specifically, as a possible career track.
During the second semester of my 11th grade year, my counselor made me aware of an internship opportunity, in which I could be a part of the Student Advisory Council. The Student Advisory Council has provided me with further opportunities to meet with Stride company executives from multiple departments. I also get to create content for social media pages and the Stride website, as well as receive HR training.
Through the Stride Career Prep program, I have been able to thoroughly confirm my interests in business and entrepreneurship, as well as gain valuable knowledge that will provide me with an advantage during my post-secondary education.
Interested in becoming a teen entrepreneur, with a focus on agriculture? Be sure to read the article, Becoming An Agriculture Entrepreneur!
And, check out the latest tips on Balancing Work And High School, from a Stride Career Prep Success Coach, too!
Want to read about another Stride Student Advisor discussing their experiences? Click here.
Be sure to visit the High School Student Entrepreneurship Resource Center, for more information on starting a business, to growing an existing one, or leveraging your side job skills for the future!
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