The STEM·E Youth Career Development Program's Intensive Entrepreneur Workshop
ーHOUSTON, Texas
The next Entrepreneurs are Middle-school and High-school students, advocates the STEM·E Youth Career Development Program. This young non-profit organization is working with local businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals to run a unique, highly-intensive entrepreneur workshop for students in 4th through 12th grade. Set to run virtually June 4-6, 2021, STEM·E Start-Ups: 3-Day Start-Up Workshop provides students with hands-on experience in developing a STEM idea they pitch to investors. Students also gain important business skills in team-building, leadership, and practical career planning to ensure their future success.
New businesses account for nearly all new net job creation. However, 25% of businesses fail in the first year followed by 50% by the fourth year due to incompetence and lack of experience (87%). In addition, start-up growth is declining. STEM·E Start-Ups hopes to remedy these challenges by impassioning students with business and STEM innovation. The boot camp provides students with vital business skills, such as marketing, leadership & management skills, business plans & simulations, and innovation & creative problem solving that entrepreneurs know are critical to success.
“We also introduce the importance of giving back, or social entrepreneurship,” says Andria Balogh, Founder & Executive Director of the STEM·E Youth Career Development Program. With 64% of entrepreneurs supporting philanthropy and 74% giving to good causes in 2015 [HSBC 2016], Balogh firmly believes that supporting local communities is at the heart of entrepreneurship.
“This program provides a unique opportunity to Houston’s future entrepreneurs,” says Kala Marathi, Managing Director, Cougar Venture Fund. All incoming 4th-12th-grade students are welcome to apply. No experience is necessary, and students will have the distinct opportunity of analyzing a community problem, developing a solution, and participating in teams to develop a solution-based company. Mentored by experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders, students will complete their workshop experience with a 2-minute elevator pitch of their business to friends, family, and the general public.
“This workshop is not only for future entrepreneurs. It’s also for future STEM and business leaders,” mentions Balogh. “We teach career skills that enhance a student’s future success in whatever career they pursue, whether they work for a business or develop their own.” With creativity and curiosity critical for future job retention in a technologically advancing economy, this workshop encourages STEM innovation. Students learn how to collaboratively establish jobs for themselves and their future colleagues.
“85% of jobs in 2035 haven’t been invented yet. Technology advances will require an adaptable workforce that can be frequently retrained to stay technologically relevant,” says Balogh. “Curiosity and innovation is critical for this process and for our students to succeed in a digital economy. Our goal is to cultivate today’s youth into tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs and STEM Leaders.”
To learn more about STEM·E Start-Ups, visit: https://www.steme.org/startups
Register for the upcoming STEM·E Start-Ups Workshop: https://www.steme.org/events
About the STEM·E Youth Career Development Program: The STEM·E Youth Career Development Program is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, established in 2018. Its mission is to bridge the education gap in career development opportunities for K-12 students, with emphasis on underprivileged, underrepresented communities. Through student interaction with local companies, professionals, and after-school programs, students become educated and impassioned about STEM and Entrepreneurship.