What Advice About Business You Would Give To A Senior In High School?

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Permalink Reply by Sam Trezzo on June 28, 2011 at 1:02pm

First thing...it was a great movie. Flexibility is the key. Be open to opportunities and look for open doors that may not look like they fit into a perfect plan. You just never know where God might lead you and you have to keep an open spirit to the things you see in the path before you.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Winebrenner on June 29, 2011 at 9:14am

Great movie?  It did have some funny moments but great?

I do like the word flexibility.  Good attribute to seek in your business.

 

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Permalink Reply by Johnny B. Tate on June 28, 2011 at 1:45pm

Always always always seek God first in your decisions about your business and again consult God about new clientel and business partners.  Remember this, " All Money Ain't Good Money".

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Permalink Reply by Mark Winebrenner on June 29, 2011 at 9:14am

Pray without ceasing.  Good idea.  Thanks for the thoughts.

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Permalink Reply by Susan Young on June 28, 2011 at 2:42pm

Great question, Mark. I only wish that someone would have mentored me while in high school so that I would have been better prepared for my professional life. 

 

My advice for college-bound seniors would be: Talk to people in the profession you're considering studying. Find out what their day-to-day jobs entail, and how competitive their industry is (particularly in this age of unemployment). Find out what college coursework would be helpful to take in order to prepare for that role. Do you really need an MBA, etc.? Keep your options open and have an alternative if you find yourself second-guessing your career path. My second piece of advice would be to get involved while in school (through organizations and volunteering or leadership positions) and definitely do at least one internship. This will look great on a resume, particularly if you don't plan on working through college. Third: Stay connected. In the age of social media, you might as well start building your network now so that it's that much easier to find a job once you graduate.

 

Finally, try to learn as much as you can, but remember that you will probably learn most of what you need on the job!

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Permalink Reply by Regina L. Jones on June 28, 2011 at 3:06pm

Great advice Susan!

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Permalink Reply by Mark Winebrenner on June 29, 2011 at 9:18am

Wow, great stuff Susan.  I might add to "refresh and refine" those social media sites they started over the last couple of years.  It is time for your pages to reflect where you are going, not where you have been.

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Permalink Reply by Troy Thompson on June 28, 2011 at 5:41pm

From a much better movie, The Graduate: One word: Plastics.

That was up to the minute good advice in 1967 but not so much now.

My serious comment is this: regardless of what you choose to pursue, spend a little extra time, money and effort and pick up a secondary degree or skill set. Most people change majors in college and careers at least once in their lifetime, so don't be fooled into thinking you can plan your entire academic and professional career at age 18. Find a secondary interest to give you options down the road, and stay light on your feet (meaning do not overburden yourself with debt).

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Permalink Reply by Mark Winebrenner on June 29, 2011 at 9:20am

What about for those who do not plan to go to college?

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