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  Washington Business Week Volunteer Program » Volunteer application  - Click here for our printable volunteer application!» Judge application - Click here for our printable judge application!» PLU Residential Advisor application - Click here for our printable RA application!Over the past 30 years, more than 6,000 community members have participated in the Washington Business Week Program. This is a unique professional development opportunity that can’t be missed. Business Week brings together young people, educators and business professionals from across the state to translate textbook theories into understandable business practices. Washington Business Week is a week-long learning experience designed to teach high school students about entrepreneurship and our American free enterprise system. Students learn what it takes to be successful from the classroom to the boardroom. Business Week relies heavily on the support of volunteers to carry out our mission. The Role of the Company Advisor Company Advisors (CA’s) are business professionals who volunteer for a full week to guide a group of 10-12 students through an interactive business simulation. CA’s play the most important role in the success of the program. Not only do they serve as role models from the community, they also develop a personal connection with the students that will help inspire them for the future. As a CA you will mentor your company as your students elect officers, make decisions for a simulated business, brainstorm ideas for an imaginary business venture, develop leadership skills and begin to work as a cohesive team. You will support your team as they navigate their way through a series of challenges, all designed to introduce students to the REAL world of business. All Company Advisors are provided extensive training and mentoring throughout the week. All materials and curriculum are provided. The Role of Judges Marketing Judges: Marketing presentations are prepared by the students to demonstrate how they will market their products. They will be judged on creativity, strategy, clarity of message and overall effectiveness or their approach. Stockholder Judges: Stockholder presentations focus on the company’s financial performance and how well the students can articulate what they’ve learned during the week about the operations of a company and how it relates to business in general. Trade Show Judges: The trade show is where students will showcase their company’s performance, and its product and service. The objective is to convince investors that their company would be a good investment based on their critical analysis of the market demand, target audience, and profitability of the venture. The Return on Your Investment for CAs The Business Week Company Advisor program is one of the best professional development sessions available anywhere, at any price. You will participate in business seminars on current business topics, network with other business professionals and enhance your time management, communication and mentoring/coaching skills. You will rise to the challenge of getting your team of “future employees” moving in the right direction to accomplish their goals. Successful Company Advisors Demonstrate:
Mentor Program: New CA’s will be paired with a veteran CA who will provide support and guidance prior to and during the program. At company advisor training, you will meet your mentor and have an opportunity to discuss any questions, concerns and program issues. A Washington Business Week Volunteer CA
“It is real world vs. sitting in a class, if you aren’t a leader kids will walk all over you.” A Washington Business Week Volunteer CA Company Advisor Opportunities – Program Specific Information 1. Summer Program Company Advisor
While being a CA is an incredibly rewarding experience, it can also be exhausting. The Summer Program takes place on four college campuses across the state. CA’s stay in hotels nearby and are expected to arrive on the Friday before the program begins and stay through the following Saturday. Training Washington Business Week requires CA’s to attend one of two full-day trainings 1 to 2 months prior to the program as well as a full day of training on campus right before the program begins. This session will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to the Business Week experience, as well as offer the tools, skills and knowledge needed to guide your team through the week. CA’s will be sent the entire curriculum packet prior to the program including meeting agendas, activities, and a full program schedule. See the sample company meeting agenda to get a sense of what exactly will take place during the company meetings. If additional training is required, the Business Week staff is happy to help at any time. Expense for the Summer Program CA’s are asked to pay $225 to cover all meals during the week (except for dinner on Wednesday evening) and to cover their own hotel costs. CA’s are welcome to stay on campus for approx. $30/night if they’d prefer. Most companies see Business Week as a professional development tool and pay for their employees to attend. 2. In-School Program Company Advisor
Daily programming for the In-School Program typically begins at 7:30 a.m. and concludes in the afternoon around 4:00 p.m. Since a significant amount of your time during the week will be spent with your company, there will be little time to handle business matters. We ask that CA’s give their full attention to the program and leave cell phones, pagers and business concerns at the office. Training Both new and returning CA’s are asked to attend one of two three-hour training seminars offered the week prior to each program. This training session will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to the Business Week experience, as well as offer the tools, skills and knowledge needed to guide your team through the week. CA’s will be sent the entire curriculum packet prior to the program including meeting agendas, activities, and a full program schedule. See the sample company meeting agenda to get a sense of what exactly will take place during the company meetings. If additional training is required, the Business Week staff is happy to help at any time. Expense There is no cost to be a CA for the In-School Program. Benefits of Being A Company Advisor Anybody who has ever been a CA will tell you that the experience is exhausting. They will also tell you that it was one of the most rewarding weeks of their lives. The benefits don’t end with the chance to make a difference in the lives of youth. Our volunteers also believe that they are better employees after they’ve gone through the program. Some of the professional benefits of being a CA are:
What Are Some Of Washington 's Biggest Employers Saying About Business Week? |
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