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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 10/1/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
July 13, 2003 Students get a taste of business Entrepreneurs of Color Council, UWGB team up on new program By Felicia James A new summer program at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is changing
her thinking.
"I didn't think it really applied to me but wanted to see what it was
like living on campus, being in college, being in class, eating college
food and having a roommate," said Sieber, 17.
The Entrepreneurial Youth Leadership Institute, a two-week workshop
for high school students, exposes students to the world of business and
the stock market.
The program, a partnership of the Entrepreneurs of Color Council and
UW-Green Bay, has brought together 18 students from Milwaukee, Neenah,
Green Bay and surrounding cities to show the opportunities that exist
through business ownership.
Working in partnerships or as sole proprietors, the students devised
ideas for a business and developed plans to market and structure the businesses.
The students will present their plans — with accompanying jingles
— to a panel of judges Friday. The judges include Green Bay Mayor
Jim Schmitt and area business executives.
The winner or winners receive U.S. savings bonds to use toward post-secondary
education. If group presenters win, they will have to share the prize,
whereas a sole proprietor can keep the entire prize.
"Many of these young people would not have been given a chance to have
these opportunities," said Chris Swan, president of the Entrepreneurs
of Color Council.
Swan, along with several UWGB professors, planned a rigorous schedule
of academics and social interaction to accomplish their goals.
The week began with the Myers-Briggs personality assessment, lectures
and lesson applications about entrepreneurship, marketing, generating
ideas, accounting, e-commerce and the stock market.
Throughout the two-week period, presentations by successful entrepreneurs
and field trips to area businesses helped students realize how others'
business labors yielded great rewards.
Following daylong sessions, the students could choose to participate
in recreational activities, but they all had to do homework.
Sieber decided to forego the activity Tuesday night. With lights out
at 11:30 p.m., she knew she needed enough time to finish her homework.
Julian Robinson, 15, of Milwaukee never thought owning a business could
become a reality for him.
"If I put all my effort into it, I could," said Robinson a few days
into the workshop.
Costs, averaging $900 per student, covered tuition, meals and room and
board. The minority pre-college scholarship fund and money raised by the
Entrepreneurs of Color Council enabled all the students to attend on full
scholarships.
The program included students from a variety of ethnicities, primarily
African American.
Sieber plans to a start conservative clothing line for juniors sold
through catalogs. The catalog would feature excerpts from literary works
and quotes of famous women to help emphasize beauty grows from the inside
out.
"I thought it would be boring," she said about the program. "Entrepreneurship
isn't just business. It's a way to solve problems.
"As an entrepreneur, you have a chance to change the world, as I see
it, and have a positive impact."
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