The Center for Young Entrepreneurs at Haas (YEAH)
The High School Program---
- The YEAH Curriculum
- High School Program Parent or Guardian Information
- High School Program Mentor or Volunteer Information
A Year Round, In-depth Opportunity
YEAH is the only university-based youth entrepreneur program to support high school students with virtually year-long rather than summer-only programs, providing each student participant with hundreds of hours of education, mentoring, coaching, and support. Incoming freshmen participate in a two-week immersive summer academy that prepares them for the year and years ahead with courses in PowerPoint, Excel and others. During their first summer, students work in teams to develop their first mini case, usually a study on workplace communication where they meet and interview scores of Haas faculty and staff. Students enjoy plenty of social and bonding time, which helps as the academic year begins and they begin their first of two corporate case studies for the year. Sophomores get a refresher week of summer academy, including a jump start on their Individual Business Plans, which they will spend the rest of the year developing. Juniors and seniors are offered the opportunity to apply for paid positions as camp counselors and peer leaders for summer academy, which provides them with experience in cross-age mentoring, and leadership skills in addition to earning income. And finally, the same juniors and seniors can apply to be counselors for B-BAY middle school summer camp, which is YEAH's earned income program for families who can afford to pay for two-week summer enrichment program.
YEAH is also distinctive for being campus-based and able to provide youth with all the resources, depth, and energy that a university offers-exposure to a campus setting has a huge impact on the likelihood of first generation college-bound students going to, and staying in, college.
New to YEAH in 2010-11
The YEAH curriculum continues to evolve each year. YEAH seniors will have the opportunity to participate in a college level course and partnership with Haas undergraduate students who are in Professor Frank Schultz's class, Leading Strategy Implementation, during their final high school semester with YEAH.
Coursework has also been rearranged and refined in the continuum. We are offering financial literacy earlier, including offering workshops for parents. Numerous parent workshops will be held in conjunction with YEAH events in the 2010-11 academic year. The first parent workshop, held on September 25th at the Welcome Back Orientation focused on navigating the college financial aid process and information about local college planners. Other changes to the continuum include the addition of a writing skills seminar for sophomores, which is repeated and expanded junior year.
During the 2010-11 academic year a new program called RISE@YEAH (Responsibility Inspires the Strive for Excellence), an "elective" offering for YEAH students who are interested in making a commitment to participate in tutoring, additional writing skills development, as well as lectures on various topics, and debate is being offered.
High School Program - The Details
Grades
9th - 12th
Curriculum Highlights
Life skills including: self-esteem, problem solving, leadership, teamwork, time management, presentation, competition, and financial literacy. Business principles including: interview skills, resume writing, business dress and etiquette, as well as internships. Opportunity recognition including: college tours, college test preparation, financial aid workshops, and internships.
Student Requirements
Students can apply to the program in their 8th grade to start in their 9th grade year, or as 9th graders to start their 10th grade year. The four highest criteria we are looking for in students include those who would be first in their family to go to college, attend public schools, are low-income (Cal Grant qualifications) and have average grade points (2.5 - 3.5).
Program Duration
Summer (July for summer academy) and the academic school year (September through May)
Locations & Meeting Times
- Saturdays (monthly in the fall semester and twice monthly in the spring semester) at Haas School of Business
- Mornings or afternoons, depending on grade level (approximately three hours each meeting)
Student Commitment
4 hours per meeting (varies depending on the time of year), and homework in between sessions. Students are also invited to give back to the community by participating in Powered by YEAH events.
Instructors
Haas students (undergraduate, MBA and PhD students) as well as Cal and other college or university students, and local business professionals.
Volunteer Now.
Application Period
January through March For more information, contact Lucas Abbott, High School Program Director
