A Tale of Two Cities and Three Students

For most high school graduates life looks more like something out of the opening lines of Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities.

It's the best of times because they've completed high school and have launched their adult lives. Yet it’s also the worst of times because some don’t know what to do after high school. Or even worse, some students think they know what they want to do and end up launching in the wrong direction.

Let me tell you the story of three students: John, Jim, and Joe.

John graduated from high school and went to college like most of his friends. He majored in engineering because he enjoyed drafting classes in high school. When he switched to business, he added an extra year of college and went deeper into debt. At graduation, he was working at Starbucks wondering if an MBA would launch his business career.

Jim graduated from high school with a profitable small business. Now working full-time he expanded quickly by joining his chamber of commerce and selling his services to local business owners. He gained a 4-year head start on students going to college or starting with an entry-level job.

Joe graduated knowing he wanted to get a professional degree and become an engineer. With his business savvy he also knew someday he would own an engineering company. His high school business will pay his way through college and help him avoid college debt.

These three fictional students had three very different launches after high school. Jim and Joe are on a trajectory of success while John is in debt, in doubt, and in a dead end job.

What was the difference with John, Jim and Joe?

Each took the academic track in high school including English, math, history, science and literature. All did well academically. All participated in many extra-curricular activities. As 15-year olds, all lacked any valuable business skills or knew much about the business world other than what their parents did for a living.

Yet Jim and Joe had a big advantage over John. They took a high school business course which opened their eyes to the world of business opportunities.

Jim and Joe didn’t learn about business just from reading books and watching videos. Their business course included a business coach who helped them get started and get over hurdles. They didn’t have to do it by themselves.

Would you like your Son or Daughter to avoid the emotional and financial pain of graduating from High School without valuable business skills, business savvy or a clear plan for after graduation? We invite your to enroll your son or daughter in the Launch Your Business course.

Categories: : high school launch