If businesses are to remain competitive, it is crucial that our future workforce have an understanding and appreciation of the real world challenges and uncertainty facing the business community. Young Entrepreneurs Business Week (YEBW) was founded on the principles of providing, “Real World Experience, Life Changing Results.” Even more compelling are the words of Andrew Bexell, first dean of the College of Business at OSU, “There is a business side to every occupation.” Our economic development depends on a strong pipeline of future CEO’s, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and employees, and YEBW is poised perfectly to support this development.
Currently, there is lack of structured financial and economic classes available and/or required in Oregon high schools. Consequently, the majority of students are not receiving the essential real-life economic skills they need to become knowledgeable consumers, prudent savers and investors, and productive members of the workforce.
Our mission is to provide a forum where students, parents and teachers collaborate to promote entrepreneurship and financial literacy for our youth. By delivering a progressive balanced, value-centered educational experience essential to success, Young Entrepreneurs Business Week fills the gap between traditional education and real-world application, preparing and inspiring students for life beyond high school.
Our graduates come away from YEBW with a vastly improved understanding of our private enterprise system and of the challenges facing them. Crystal Lenard of Cleveland High School wrote, "
This program helped me in so many ways. Not only did I learn about business but I learned how to live my life in a successful way. I take the things, from this camp that only went on for one week, and I apply the things I learned to everyday life and will continue throughout my life time. This experience has changed my life for the better. Thank you so much."
Graduates of YEBW's first year program are eligible to return for our two additional progressive programs.
For more information about programs available to alumni, please click here.
If you are an Oregon educator and would like to be involved in helping spread our mission,
please contact us.