5 Thoughts from a High School Senior for High Schoolers Interested in Business
I'm a high school senior who is going to a top 20 school to study business. Here are my thoughts for high schoolers lurking who are interested in business and advice on this site:
1.) Develop a plan!
Do you want to be in banking, consulting, or in another business career? Where do you want to be physically, mentally, and financially in 7 years?
Here are the steps: find a list of 5 schools that places graduates into the field you want to be in. Take the necessary classes to set you up for that school (read: take AP, International Baccalaureate, and Dual Enrollment courses). Practice for your SAT! When you have time, pad your resume by creating a personal finance curriculum for your school, or by joining clubs.
2.) Take a few dual enrollment courses at your local college
I am going to graduate high school with ~60 semester credits. That gave me a significant competitive advantage when applying, and getting accepted, to colleges. In addition, when you take those classes you will have the ability to explore different courses, and perhaps find your perfect major, while being in a college environment.
On a similar note, take a financial accounting class during the summer because you will most likely be taking dual enrollment courses at a local city college and be competing against accredited college students who couldn't take the classes at their university. You will probably struggle, like I did, but if you don't give in to the pressure and stress (3 hours of sleep a night, while competing against students from a top 40 school), you'll kick some ass.
Similarly, take a singing class. Learn to further challenge yourself, while meeting cute chicks while you're at it.
3.) Learn to fight
Know how to throw a punch. You will develop skills to be mentally stronger and fitter. You'll develop a tolerance for pain and learn that pain is temporary (that helps you get through a tough situation). Of course, do not fight someone for no reason (especially in high school), but do spar against friends.
4.) Embrace capitalism
I laugh when so many socialists (about 75% of high school students) want to become business majors. If you are currently a student who has socialist leaning tendencies, listen to Milton Friedman or read his publications. Try to see if your beliefs hold up under scrutiny. Many businesses do good for the world, as they often give people the freedom of choice and variety. For example, when my mother first came to America from the USSR, she was astounded to see all of the varieties of food, clothes, and trinkets.
5.) Work at a job that gets you down and dirty
My first job, outside the school cafeteria, was being a clerk at a mom and pop pet store. That was a shitty job (pun intended). During my first month, my boss called me a rather endearing name: “Motherfucker.” Gradually his name calling changed to just “Fucker,” and finally to “Bitch.” I quickly learned to leave my self respect at the doorstep because getting money to pay for college was more important than self respect at the time.
Also, when you work at a job that consists of you cleaning up after other people’s and animal’s shit, you’ll learn to put up and get though nasty obstacles. Nothing teaches that better than cleaning up rat shit.
Those are my pieces of advice from a lowly high school senior. Monkeys, feel free to add your suggestions.
For #3, play a varsity sport all four years.
i somewhat agree with a lot of this, but i'm going to have to disagree on #2. there is almost no point for a high school student to be taking dual enrollment college courses, as long as he is taking the most rigorous curriculum at his high school. i'd say the only reason to do this is if either a) you come from a shitty high school where the rigor of your curriculum is in question or b) you're just really a try hard. you aren't going to be "kicking some ass," just putting unnecessary pressure on yourself.
You are right about A.) (before I changed schools, my old high school only offered 8 AP classes for only juniors and seniors) and B.). I believe that taking dual enrollment classes can give students the ability to explore a wide variety of courses that high school doesn't offer, while competing/collaborating with students who choose to attend class, rather than being forced to be there. I agree with your statement that dual enrollment classes can put extreme pressure on the student, and that it is not for everyone.
Aut sint dolor illo ipsum et dolorem. Voluptatem quia aut soluta. Molestiae voluptatem voluptas voluptates eum tempora illum.
Error voluptatum esse similique. Ab et exercitationem perferendis libero iure. Itaque maiores fugiat nobis dolores vitae. Et dolorem ipsa aut dicta omnis. Non rem tempora quos ullam occaecati. Est ex est ut eligendi provident ea.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...