Business

Are you a Future Entrepreneur? Here Are The Steps You Need to Take.

You may have read the life stories of entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs, founder of Apple; Bill Gates who launched Microsoft; or Mark Zuckerburg, who started Facebook (now META) from his college dorm at age 19. They epitomize the spirit of the entrepreneur, and they succeeded before there were any courses in the subject.

Teen entrepreneurs are the new versions of Jobs, Gates, and Zuckerbeg. They include kids like Ryan Hickman who, at 13, launched a popular t-shirt line called, “Make the Sea Trash Free.” All profits from his merchandise and recycling efforts go to a rescue organization for sea mammals. Hickman has been featured in the 10 Successful Young Entrepreneurs, as well as on “Today.”

Teens are Centering on Entrepreneurship

A recent report reveals how high school students are setting their sights on entrepreneurship:

6 out of ten teens are more interested in starting their own business someday, rather than working at a traditional job.
About 2 in 5 teens said they draw inspiration from social media influencers and young celebrities who launched their own businesses.
Nearly half of teens want to learn through internships or summer jobs, and 37 percent expressed interest in after-school or summer programs that teach entrepreneurship.

Classes to Take in High School for a Future in Business

Are there classes you can take in high school for business? The answer is yes. You can begin to develop an understanding of the kind of skills you need by general courses offered in nearly all high schools. These include:

Math
Computer science
Economics/Finance
Accounting
Speech/Communications
Marketing
Entrepreneurship
English/Writing

Learning Online with Top Colleges while Still in High School

Business youth programs are now available online to high school students from leading universities. Wake Forest is just one option for those who want to kickstart their college education. You’ll learn through dynamic videos and use interactive tools while being guided by one of the university’s top business professors. Check out Wake Forest’s business and finance courses. The flexible format lets you study at your own pace. Successful completion of a final project earns you a Certificate of Completion that you can include with your college applications.

Another Prelum partner is William & Mary University. For those of you with a thirst for risk, you’ll want to try their venture capital courses online. Venture Capitalism is a $330 billion industry where money is raised to support new innovations. If you have a passion for risk, how investors evaluate new business ventures, how a pitch for money is made, and the college majors that will help you qualify for the world of venture capital, this is a great introduction.