College of Business Administration

GROUP MEMBERS:

Kimberly Trujillo
Luke Sheuber
Sarahi Nunez

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Our group decided to work with on the Virtual Enterprise Program at Hoover High School with Ms. Nason. This project consists of creating virtual corporations run by the students that help them gain real world business experience. These kids are assigned real positions within the company such as CEO and Vice President of different departments. The program consists of many schools who participate in creating virtual companies that compete with each other at their Virtual Fairs that take place. In these fairs the students are able to go and buy products from each other and see what their competition is and gain real world business experience.

Our first real objective was to just help out Ms. Nason with whatever was needed, more of a volunteer program is what we had in mind. However, when we got to the classroom it was to our own surprise how very well organized and structured she had established this program. Our first visit as a group consisted of us participating in hiring panels. Each panel was interviewing for a different position within the company. To our amazement the students that were being interviewed were extremely prepared for the task at hand. They answered questions and new exactly what was expected of them, they new what their responsibilities would be if they were the one to be selected for the position. This was extremely surprising that this program was such an efficient and beneficial program, we all immediately saw the benefits of participating.

Though most of the time we went and visited the classroom individually there was another time when we went as a group and performed a mini lecture on ethics, per Ms. Nason’s request. When we got to the class we were prepared and had a plan on what was to be discussed and how. We first broke the class up in to little groups and gave them a scenario, a what if you were a manager question. This scenario was similar to the Ford Pinto case and we asked the groups to come to an agreement as to what they would do if they were managers and share with the class their ideas. After the discussion we explained to the kids that this was a real story, it was a true story and gave them the facts of the real situation. We then went into explaining, based on the story we had just given them what ethics is and why it is an important concept to learn and understand. After the lecture we gave the class a chance to share their thoughts and concerns, and some they shared some interesting thoughts and opinions with us.

In our opinion our project was a success, not only for these kids who received help and input from us but for us as well. They were exposed to real students who give them hope for a future and who help and encourage in the program they are participating in. For us they gave us a different perspective than what we assume when looking from the outside. We were surprised with the program, the students, but mostly with the great dedication this teacher has for her students.