120 Students Board Dream Train
MERIDIAN - - Over 120 students from four high schools in two counties boarded the “Dream Train” at Meridian Community College (MCC) last week. While on board, they learned firsthand about the possibilities of owning their own business.
“This is outstanding,” said Charles Black, a counselor at Southeast Lauderdale High School.
“The interaction with the speakers, seeing their point of view – that information is something you wouldn’t normally get in a high school setting,” stated Betty Fox, a Student Services Counselor for Lauderdale County Schools.
“A lot of kids can say they want to go into business, but this gives kids a realistic view of what it takes to succeed,” said Counselor Elaine Webb, a Student Services Counselor for Lauderdale County Schools.
The second annual MCC Youth Entrepreneur Business Camp was held Friday, November 20, 2009, as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, an initiative to inspire young people around the world to embrace creativity and innovation. The “Dream Train” is a concept where groups of students make “stops” at different locations at the college. At each stop, students meet entrepreneurs and facilitators to discuss a different aspect of going into business. This year’s stops were:
- Stop 1 Eureka! - assists students in creating business ideas based on their interests and skill levels
- Stop 2 Know Your Market - learn about supply/demand, competition and positioning your business
- Stop 3 Business Regulations/Cha Ching - discuss regulations, taxes, legal matters and financing your business
- Stop 4 Build a Support Team - develop a business and operational plan that includes leadership, employees and inventory
- Stop 5 Computer Lab - visit interactive web sites to learn more about entrepreneurship
- Stop 6 Meet the Entrepreneurs - question and answer sessions with young entrepreneurs that are currently in business
Tineshia Evans, a student at Newton High School learned the importance of determination and staying the course. “Starting a business isn’t easy. You’ve got to be dedicated, overcome setbacks, and stay strong.”
Southeast Lauderdale High School student Morgan Fuller said, “The speakers were very captivating.” “It’s an opportunity for our kids to talk to people who have experienced the American Dream, “ added counselor Black.
WAEM Regional Initiative staff from Jones County Junior College, East Central Community College, and The Montgomery Institute joined with MCC staff to facilitate the camp.
“It’s great that these institutions work together like this,” said Ken Dupre’, WAEM Program Coordinator at The Montgomery Institute. “You would not have seen this type of cooperation prior to the WAEM regional initiative.”
