Business is more than just numbers. It is built on ambition, innovation, and success. It’s a world of awaiting opportunities.
For many students, majoring in business can open up many possibilities: including, but not limited to, human resources, accounting, sales, and more. The Millard Business and Entrepreneurship Academy and Business and Logistics Academy offer an inside look into business while students are still in high school.
Millard Coordinator of Secondary Programs Melanie Olson makes these academies possible.
“The academy offers students unique courses specific to that academy focus, the opportunity to earn dual credit for college courses, and many opportunities to make industry connections,” Olson said.
Students can choose to be in the Business and Logistics Management Academy or the Business and Entrepreneurship Academy. Both business academies offer distinct sides of business: anything and everything from marketing to business law.
Taking a deeper look at the Business and Entrepreneurship Academy, some of the courses offered include College Accounting, Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Business, and AP Micro and Macroeconomics.
Seniors Patrick Kuyper, Jennifer Nguyen, and Alexander Michaud are all part of the Business and Entrepreneurship Academy.
Similarly, these students have all learned new and essential skills in this two-year academy. Kuyper experienced career redirection, Nguyen built her own business, and Michaud learned the importance of making connections.
“The academy has taught me the fundamentals of marketing, management, and finance. However, the most important lesson has been my career redirection,” Kuyper said. “At the beginning of the program, I was certain I wanted to do marketing. However, I am now interested in finance and computer science,”
As part of the academies, students are required to find and partake in an internship during their time in the program. The academy seniors are actively exploring the best opportunities to align with their career goals.
“They complete 120 hours each semester outside of school. I have had students in all types of businesses all around Omaha,” Lead Business and Logistics instructor Mike Rogers said.
In the spring of their junior year, students start by creating resumes and a LinkedIn profile and are encouraged to start thinking about what career field they want to pursue.
If needed, the academies help students with business contacts, but students are ultimately responsible for finding their internship.
Michaud balances playing a fall and spring sport, school, and academy schedules. He owns a detailing business and is also reaching out to more people to find more opportunities specific to the academy courses, possibly in real estate.
“It’s a great opportunity where you can find something that really interests you and get paid to do it,” Michaud said.
Through the academies, students can graduate from high school with a business associate’s degree. Additionally, the academy students share that being around like-minded peers who hold the same passions as you can be very impactful.
“Being able to be around a group of driven, kind, and fun people has had a huge reason on the impact of a program like this,” Kuyper said.
Building connections is a fundamental aspect of any job, but it especially applies to the business world.
“Through connections, you’re able to get jobs, you’re able to have friends, and you’re able to find people that you can just reach out to when you need help,” Nguyen said.
Now that they’ve had this experience, this group of students feel well-prepared for the future.
“The academy provides students with real-world experiences related to that career so they can make an informed decision about pursuing that career after high school,” Olson said.
The skills they’ve learned will stick with them in every aspect of life in the future, not just business.
“This academy helps teach students how to understand and utilize an eclectic arsenal of business skills. These skills are universal in their application and can be applied to any respected study or career,” Kuyper said.
As the business world grows and changes, both Business Academy’s students can put themselves out there like never before. With clearer visions of their future, newfound support, and self-confidence, these squads are set to change the world.