Hi Sharks. I’m seeking $1,000,000 for a 35% stake in my company.”
An interrogation and assessment soon ensues, which determines the value, future, and overall desirability of the company. The Sharks seem taken with the product, presentation, and people; they begin tossing out offers. Negotiations take place, and a Shark soon emerges as victor.
“Welcome to the team!”
The individuals exchange handshakes, and the young man exits the room smiling. He cannot believe that the product created in his high school entrepreneurship class just landed him a million dollar deal.
Helping foster these million dollar ideas, Saint Viator offers a variety of business classes that incorporate real-world scenarios and hands-on learning. The four most prominent classes offered are Intro to Entrepreneurship, Accounting, Personal Finance, and Global Economics. These courses help cultivate a problem-solving mindset and foster an understanding of universal topics.
Available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors, Intro to Entrepreneurship is a year-long course part of the Incubator program that focuses on the creation and development of a product or service that solves something broken or wrong in society. No prerequisites are required. While maintaining a more student-paced approach, skills incorporating marketing, accounting, Human Resources, and legality are taught through a combination of lecture and professional example. Additionally, collaboration and communication are large parts of the class. Students develop their product as a team, so they begin to understand the importance of working as a cohesive unit.
“It’s been interesting to learn about the different parts that go into business and develop practical skills that will help me later in life,” said junior Riley Ohrel.
The course is presentation based with an emphasis on public speaking; no tests are given, but daily participation is encouraged and expected. The course is what the students make it. If they devote time, energy, and effort, they will see results and gain valuable career skills. The class culminates in a Shark Tank- style format, featuring a student-lead product pitch to potential investors.
“This could turn into a potential career for anyone. We have been fortunate enough to have gotten offers on products in years past,” said course instructor Mr. David Lyons.
Accounting, which is a half credit, is available to grades ten, eleven, and twelve. There are no prerequisites for this course, but an understanding of basic math is necessary. The course focuses on a basic introduction to the principles, terminology, and concepts of accounting while maintaining a useful and realistic approach. Students utilize spreadsheets as a tool to assist them in all financial endeavors as well as a way to outline decision making and problem solving. The course also covers topics involving internet safety and one’s digital footprint.
Currently taught by Mr. Miller and Mr. Lyons, Personal Finance is a half credit that introduces students to the realistic side of finance. The class is available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors but has no prerequisites. The course’s key topics include budgeting, credit and debt, saving, investing, and interviewing and negotiating skills. Students will also note the stock market and apply it to their lives and situations. Additionally, the course helps direct students with decisions regarding their future college and career plans.
“Personal finance sets you up to be the best consumer you can be and set yourself up for success later in life. It’s about practicality and application,” said Mr. Lyons.
On the opposite side of Personal Finance, Global Economics dives into the theory and probability surrounding finance. Technically a social studies course, Global Economics is a half credit course that is available to juniors and seniors. There are no prerequisites. Focused on providing a general overview of the economy, Global Economics covers topics like trade, tariffs, and quotas and institutions like the World Trade Organization and the World Bank. Additionally, exchange rates, unemployment, and inflation is assessed. Emphasis is placed on concepts, ideas, and institutions, rather than the typical rigorous analysis characteristic of social studies courses. The course seeks to answer why people do what they do and why they make the decisions they make when dealing with scarcity. It is all viewed through a purely scientific lens.
“It [economics] is everywhere. Sports, arts, Hollywood, mainstream U.S.A. Everywhere. Everyone participates in the economy every day whether that be in a large or small way,” said Mr. Lyons.
Business is universal, and it surrounds almost any career path in life. These courses provide an introduction for students to gain basic understanding and recognize where they want to go moving forward. They hold onto the skills and concepts presented and apply them throughout their life.
If used correctly and intentionally, someday they may even end up on Shark Tank!