Virtual Enterprise pathway to a career in business
“So you want to be the CEO? What skills and experience do you bring to the table that would make you the best candidate for the job?”
Students in Carlsbad High School teacher Carol King’s Virtual Enterprise (VE) classes have already decided on the types of businesses their classmates will start. Now a group of students seeking the positions of CEO, COO, or CFO of these virtual businesses are undergoing interviews by volunteers from the Carlsbad business community and by student graduates of the program.
The simulated real-world job interviews help prepare the students for their future careers. For example, Matt applied to be hired as CEO for a proposed business called Lumina AI.
“We envision a business that teaches the public how to use AI efficiently, effectively, and ethically, and how to control AI so that it doesn’t do the things you don’t want it to do,” said Matt. “I would love to be an entrepreneur. I am interested in finance, management, and writing.”
Matt, who attended a summer program at Stanford, also participates in speech and debate and cross-country – so the CEO job would require him to Aaron Byzak, Chief Strategist at Galvanized Strategies and a board member of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce conducts interviews with Carlsbad High School students, offering valuable insights into real-world leadership and business skills. exercise excellent time management skills.
Ava, likewise, is interested in taking on the role of COO and managing all the departments. An organized leader, she runs the Robo Puffs, a Business League robotics team. She also has amassed database experience, and knows how to keep her team on task through effective communication.
Colton, from Utah, enjoys the outdoors. He wants to start a construction business in the future. He is excited about marketing, through posters and TikTok, a product that doesn’t exist yet. He has learned some QuickBooks and has earned a certification in coding. 
Other students show similar enthusiasm. Preston is applying to be a CFO because he’s interested in finance. Samuel wants to be a COO because he likes working with people and is looking forward to the fast pace of operations at Lumina AI.
Victoria would like to be the CEO of Outside, a company with an app that encourages young people to get more exercise.
And Robert would like to be a CEO or VP of marketing. “I know what it is to be a leader by watching my role models on the football team and observing how they motivate people,” he says.
“They listen to everyone. Anyone can have a good idea or a bad idea.” Once the leaders are selected, the whole class gets to work creating their businesses. Students take on tasks in marketing, financials, IT, sales, and HR. They hone their product, build their marketing plans and budgets, and devise their elevator pitches. They are excited about what they are learning.
Throughout the school year students will gain entrepreneurial, hands-on experience managing and operating their virtual companies. They will practice job interviewing and résumé building; and they will learn, while “on the job,” the roles of CEOs and CFOs. Students even learn to take a look at their online presence–which do they see, SnapChat or LinkedIn? And, in the spring, the CHS students will compete with students across the state at a VE Trade Show competition in Bakersfield.
Local businessman Aaron Byzak, chief strategist for Galvanized Strategies and a board member of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, volunteered to conduct some of the job interviews. He says, “These high school kids are rocking it. They show up for their interviews dressed appropriately. They ask for input and suggestions. They have good resumes–they have already accomplished a lot. I see an interesting mix of success in athletics and academics. They’re awesome.”