What are business and entrepreneurship, anyway?

How many of us high school students want to “work in business” or be an entrepreneur?

I bet a lot. But… what does that mean, anyway?

If you look up the word business in the dictionary, which I did, it says: “the practice of making one’s living by engaging in commerce.”

If you look up entrepreneurship it says: “the activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.”

So, let’s say you are like me. You are in high school, and you want to go to college and want to work in business in your career. How should you even get started in thinking about what type of job you could have in the business world? Well, I did some research and interviewed my finance teacher. I also have been fortunate to have had a few business-related experiences. Here are some things to consider:

Think about what aspects of business interest you and align with your skill sets.

For example, if you have strong public speaking skills and are very outgoing, maybe you would be good at sales or marketing. If you are detail-oriented and like math, maybe you would be good at finance or accounting. If you like to take risks and are creative, maybe entrepreneurship is right for you!

Explore internship opportunities, even in high school.

It can be hard to find internship opportunities in high school, but every community has places to look. For example, you could reach out directly to local businesses, startups, and non-profits. Smaller businesses may be more likely to take high school interns. You could also attend career fairs and networking events. These are great places to meet potential employers and learn about internship opportunities. Having an internship will help build your communication and problem-solving skills, which are important for business.

Join a business-oriented club at your school.

Most high schools have different business-related clubs. For example, clubs like DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) encourage collaboration, creativity, and initiative and are specifically targeted to the business realm. Leadership roles in business or really any community or extracurricular spaces can demonstrate your ability to manage and inspire others.

Research colleges with strong business programs.

Look into different business schools to find ones that match your interests and goals. Consider things like location, programs offered, and campus culture. Look at the types of classes colleges offer, like accounting, marketing, management, entrepreneurship, or international business, and make sure they match what you may be interested in.

Think outside the box.

That is what being an entrepreneur is all about. Even if there aren’t internship opportunities in your area for high school students, explore summer classes at a nearby college or community college that offer a business 101 course or come up with your own business plan on a topic of interest. As my finance teacher shared with me—it’s important early on to get exposed to a lot of different classes and opportunities to figure out what is the best fit for you.

As future business leaders, it's crucial to leverage the diverse learning and job opportunities available. Seek advice and support from school counselors, teachers, and other professionals. Be persistent, take chances, and do your research to find the best fit for you.