Student Entrepreneurship
Program Description:
Student
entrepreneurship is a means for preparing young people to learn all aspects
of starting and managing small businesses as a career path option. There are
a number of opportunities that can be offered to students to support this
process including school stores, income-generating projects, small business
partnerships with local entrepreneurs, and others.
An effective model for an integrated entrepreneurship curricula at the elementary, middle, high school, and post-secondary levels is provided by REAL (Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning) Enterprises. REAL helps individuals, schools, communities, and rural America grow through hands-on entrepreneurship education. REAL Enterprises' purpose is to prepare children, youth and adults to be active, self-sufficient, and productive citizens who contribute to their community's social and economic development. REAL Enterprises has taken hold in Vermont, with teachers implementing the age appropriate REAL program in many communities including Burlington, Colchester, South Burlington, and Shelburne.
Why is it Important?
Many young people have an interest and inclination to pursue a path of preparing
to be small business owners and managers rather than someone else's employee.
Small business is a critical component of the economy of Vermont and the nation.
Entrepreneurs creatively identify and pursue new business opportunities that
create jobs and add value to local economies.
Who Does it Benefit?
Students: Those with an entrepreneurial spirit are provided a motivational
career path option to develop and apply their skills.
Educators: Teachers develop options to positively engage entrepreneurial
students in learning activities that motivate them to apply academic skills
toward business creation.
Local Communities: New small business start-ups provide opportunities
to retain entrepreneurial talent locally, to provide needed goods and services,
and to generate revenue for the community.
For More Information:
Please email Rich Tulikangas,
Executive Director, or call (802) 951-8850.
Helpful Links and Resources:
National REAL
Enterprises