Enterprise Week!
Like we do every year, Brendan and I are about to spend an entire week with hundreds of high school seniors in Pasco for Enterprise Week. I wouldn’t dream of missing it.
This year, it’ll be better than ever, all thanks to Pasco students that previously completed the program. Based on their invaluable feedback, this year we’ll be working on projects that really impact the Tri-Cities community.
What is Enterprise Week exactly?
Enterprise Week is a pathway between high school and the professional world. Every single graduating high school senior in Pasco, over 800 students this year, will be earning high school and college credit as they develop projects for their community. They will break up into “consulting firms” (groups of 14–16 students) and be paired with a mentor for the duration of the week-long program.
Consultants from the community will also meet with the student groups to talk about their areas of focus more specifically throughout the week.
Each group will be able to work in one of five areas of interest:
- Growth of Downtown Pasco
Focused on the economic development of downtown Pasco - Recreational Opportunities for Students and Families
Focused on creating a healthy and vibrant community - Green Initiatives
Focused on environmental issues, such as recycling programs - Success in Schools
Focused around the 24-credit requirement and how we can address barriers to student success such as homelessness, bullying, and family issues - Services
Focused on social change and looking at diverse and holistic approaches to problems in our community
Whether the solutions the students come up with involve building a non-profit or for-profit consulting firm, they will demonstrate what they have learned in school and gain skills that most of us only learned when we were in a post-secondary educational institution or in the workforce. With the help of the industry professionals volunteering their time, we are really preparing our students for the professional world.
When and where is it happening?
This year, we will bring the students to Columbia Basin College so they can see what it’s like to be on a college campus.
Enterprise Week is happening March 26th–30th.
How can we get involved?
Like I said, I’ve volunteered for years, and it’s always incredibly rewarding!
Fill out this form to be a volunteer: http://bit.ly/2GpB53Q
- We are looking for Mentors to be with a consulting firm all week from 7:30am–2:00pm.
Two people can split the week up between them if one person is unable to be there the entire week.
This is a great opportunity for your employees who are looking to gain management experience and develop their leadership skills.
- We are also looking for Consultants that can come in one day from 11:00am–2:00pm and share expertise on topics like marketing, finance, and the feasibility and sustainability of their concepts.
Off-site Consultants can volunteer via our SLACK Channel where students can ask questions and you can respond from your work-site.
- Lastly, we need Judges to hear the final presentations on Friday March 30th from 8:00am–11:30am.
There are also opportunities for sponsorship of this event, and you can promote your company by adding items to the swag bags students will receive at the end of the week.
For more information, visit psd1.org/enterprise