“Back to school” will mean something very different to the Carson City High (CCHS) students who participate in the New Entrepreneurship Network (NewE) this school year. NewE is a youth entrepreneurship education program of the Hop & Mae Adams Foundation. During the 2016-17 school year, four different programs will be offered to foster entrepreneurial thinking and hone problem-solving skills.
“Fostering innovative thinking and helping teens discover new options for their future is the heart of what we do,” said Alex Ellison, Executive Envisioner of NewE in a press release. “Being able to bring this opportunity directly to high school kids can have a powerful effect on their lives and a positive impact on the community.”
New E Entrepreneurship Programs at Carson City High School: Every incoming freshman at CHS attends a required Freshman Transitions Course, which is designed to help students make the transition to high school. In October, Ellison will lead students in a process of discovering and understanding their unique learning styles and personality styles, as well as identifying their entrepreneurial styles and personal brands. These exercises help students develop self-awareness and build confidence.
NewE is also partnering with CHS teacher Billy McHenry’s second- through fourth-year business students. In a survey given to students who participated last year, NewE learned that students want more exposure to different kinds of businesses, professionals and career options.
“They want to hear ‘real-world’ stories and ask questions,” said Ellison. “So we’re shooting a series of videos to show students what a day in the life of local entrepreneurs and professionals looks like. They will also come to the classroom to talk to students and answer questions. In the second semester, these same students will step into the role of Student Consultants, forming teams that create real solutions to real challenges that local businesses and non-profits face.”
NewE Network Club: For the 2016/2017 school year, the NewE Club, which began in 2014, will hold its monthly meetings at Adams Hub, the innovative co-working space and incubator in downtown Carson City.
“We’re excited to hold the meetings in a state of the art environment, where entrepreneurs are busy creating new businesses. Students will hear from people who’ve started, or are in the process of starting, their own ventures. Students will learn about and put into practice entrepreneurial thinking, a skill that can be applied in many aspects of life,” Ellison stated.
NewE Club is open to all Carson High Students and will take place on the first Wednesday of each month from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. An information session will be held in Room 241 at Carson High on Thursday, September 8 at 11 a.m. for interested students.
The Entrepreneurial Readiness Intensive, planned for January 9-February 10, 2017, is a five-week session designed to give high school students the education, resources and exposure to better think like entrepreneurs.
“The goal of ERI is to help students stand out when applying for their first, second or fifth job!” explained Ellison. This program is open to all high school students and will take place at Adams Hub, where students will meet weekly for five weeks. At the end of the program, students receive a Certificate of Entrepreneurial Readiness. “The certificate tells employers that the student is solution-oriented, can think on his or her feet, and understands how to contribute to the company’s success.”
