Silver Jubilee Millennials

By Jill K. Willis

FAST FACTS: Millennials: (also known as Generation Y or Echo Boomers) refers to individuals born roughly between 1980-1994. Characteristics: Global, civic and community minded Goal oriented Success driven Entrepreneurial Techno-savy Beliefs: Education is good Integrity is admirable Parents are role models

Smart. Multicultural. Active. Heroic. Patriotic. Global. Achievers. Inclusive. Connected. Civic-minded. Confident. Hopeful. Goal- and achievement-oriented. Flexible. Team-oriented. Fun. These are just a few adjectives that describe the almost 200 high school millennials who helped South Carolina Business Week celebrate its Silver Jubilee. All are well educated, more techno-savvy and are optimistic about their ability to make positive things happen in their careers and communities. Now meet some of our future leaders, and learn about their week-long experience at Business Week.

There were a lot of light bulbs going off for the South Carolina high school juniors, seniors and rising college freshmen who attended Business Week at Presbyterian College July 13-18. At a least one point during the Sunday to Friday intense learning forum, each student seemed to have an “Ah ha” moment when he or she realized an important business truth.

The annual South Carolina Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Business Week has impacted more than 5,000 students over the past 25 years. It was created to help South Carolina’s potential business leaders prepare for a bright future.

“They come here to experience college life, gain some understanding of real world business, and develop life skills in the process,” said Andi Gougarty, the South Carolina Chamber’s programs and events coordinator and Business Week director.

According to Gougarty, the most important aspect of Business Week is to “show students that they have the ability to go to a respected college or university and then get a great job in South Carolina. Part of the Chamber’s mission is to raise per capita income and improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians. Business Week provides an avenue for students to see what opportunities are within the borders of the state.”

Business Week was founded by Jay D. Rickman, Sr., president of AMCOL Systems in Columbia. In 1983, after attending the American Collectors Association Convention in Seattle, Washington, Rickman traveled to Central Washington State College to observe its Business Week program. He was so impressed that he made a proposal to the South Carolina Collectors Association (SCCA) to provide start-up funding for a similar program in the Palmetto State. The SCCA approved the funding that provided presentation materials for the Chamber to use to promote the program to potential business sponsors. The South Carolina Business Week program held its first class at Presbyterian College in July 1984 with 206 students from all parts of the state attending.

“I took the time to ensure Business Week was established in South Carolina because I was concerned that high school students were not getting a true picture of the business ad economic climate in this state through their classroom studies,” said Rickman.

This year’s Business Week was presented by the South Carolina Cable Television Association and sponsored by the Chamber in conjunction with the S.C. Association of School Administrators, S.C. Department of Education, S.C. Council on Economic Education and the S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Business Week applicants are high school students who have completed at least their sophomore year, are recommended by their guidance counselor, rank academically in the top one-third of their class, and have demonstrated leadership skills through school and community activities.

“I am so grateful to have had this opportunity,” said Tyecia George, a graduate of Wilson High School in Florence and a rising freshman at Coker College in Hartsville this fall.

The students checked into their dormitories Sunday morning and listened to several sessions of program overviews. They divided into 13 teams that were assigned specific fictitious companies to run. Over the course of the week, they managed their respective companies in real-life simulations that were tracked via an online software program called Threshold. Student teams make decisions on 30 variables ranging from product prices to raw materials inventory. Threshold processes the data and produces results in the form of financial statements, inventory reports and production reports.

“This simulation exercise helps take the mystique out of business,” said Dr. Norman Scarborough, a teacher in the Business Department of Presbyterian College and the facilitator of Business Week’s simulation program. “Students must make a battery of decisions during the week that impact the bottom line. They learn some hard lessons about the realities of balance sheets, income statements and cash management. The students have enjoyed this simulation so much that we’ve made accommodations for them to continue to use it after the week is over.”

In addition, each team is faced with two human relations challenges, such as how to deal with an employee with a substance abuse problem or an employee who steals. “This was a real eye-opener for many students,” said Dr. Scarborough. “They had no idea about the complexities of running a business before they participated in our program.”

When students were not working on their computer simulation program, the teens attended lectures on leadership, diversity, ethics, teamwork, and entrepreneurship. They learned about purchasing, hiring and firing, capacity, marketing and price-setting. Students also received professional help in the areas of résumé writing, interviewing and personal finances.

On Wednesday, the students participated in a four-hour tour of Fuji Film in Greenwood. “I found the tour to be both exciting and very interesting,” said George.

“Students who complete the week learn what it really takes to run and manage a business,” pointed out Gougarty. “It’s not just about making money. It’s about creating a product that someone sees value in and creating a good working environment for your employees.”

The sessions are taught by about 15 volunteers, called company advisors, who are employees of South Carolina firms. “These positive role models serve as speakers and mentors,” said Dr. Scarborough. “They work hard and stay at the college the entire week. It’s a huge community service. They’re all exhausted when they go home.”

The students also are encouraged to have fun at Business Week through organized evening events. The sponsors host a Talent Show, Movie Night, Olympics, Junk Night, and a banquet and dance. “Junk Night is when we bring bits and pieces from our garages, attics and basements and pile them in the center of the room,” explained Gougarty. “Then each simulated company picks six to eight items and creates a product and a 30-second commercial about their product. It’s amazing to see how creative the students are.”

At Business Week’s graduation ceremony Friday afternoon, two enterprising students were presented scholarships. Paige Sharkey, a rising senior at Pinewood Preparatory School, received the 2008 Ron McNair Leadership Award. The $3,000 scholarship, contributed by SCE&G, was established in memory of Lake City native and astronaut Ron McNair.

“It’s an absolute honor to be picked out of such a large group of focused, intelligent and wonderful individuals. I couldn’t ask for a higher privilege to hold after leaving Business Week,” said Sharkey.

Chris Campbell of Irmo High School was named recipient of the inaugural S. Hunter Howard, Jr. Scholarship Award. The $5,000 scholarship was introduced this year in honor of S. Hunter Howard, Jr., retiring president and chief executive officer of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Campbell plans to major in international business at the University of South Carolina this fall.

“Through Business Week I learned what qualities are needed not only to survive but also to thrive in the corporate world. As someone who wants to be an international corporate lawyer, that is a valuable experience,” said Campbell.

Chamber CEO, Hunter Howard, is proud of the Business Week students, and he is hopeful the program will enhance the future for South Carolina’s business leaders of tomorrow.

“Education has always been a passion of mine, and I am proud of the system that educators and the business community have come together to design and implement,” said Howard. “We still have a ways to go, but I am confident that if we stay the course, we can create one of the best education systems in the country. Programs like South Carolina Business Week reiterate that partnerships work together to prepare tomorrow’s leaders. I also feel extremely honored at the creation of the S. Hunter Howard, Jr. Scholarship and am pleased to be a part of annually recognizing a Business Week student who consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership abilities.”

Plans already are underway for Business Week’s 26th gathering. In the meantime, more than 5,000 light bulbs are burning brightly across the Palmetto State. Hopefully, they’ll be joined by well over 200 more next summer.

Jill K. Willis is the president of Capstone Public Relations.
For more information on Business Week student applications and sponsorships, please contact Andi Gougarty at 803-255-2615.