Paperwork, bills and insurance– not the most exciting topics for the typical high schooler, but for a select few it sounds pretty good. These students have already begun to take part in the world of business in the classroom. In Virtual Enterprise, students create their own businesses and begin to focus on life after high school.

“This is a great class because you are able to get your economy credit, but it is also a lot more interesting and hands-on than the normal economy class,” junior Cassidy Mendoza said. “In the class, we create a business and get a paycheck every month. With the paycheck, we have to pay life and car insurance and bills, which I think helps prepare us for the real world.”

Students are able to travel to thrilling places to display their business skills as well. They use pure innovation to construct their companies; in addition, there are various positions that students can apply for such as CEO, which senior Jacquelyn Nakamura holds this year.

“Coming up later in the spring, we have a competition,” Nakamura said. “When we go to these competitions, we basically show off our companies that we build from nothing, and it’s definitely a cool experience.”

Although it is only a high school class, students must prepare for the upcoming year similar to how one would for an actual job interview.

“You have to apply for this class as if you’re trying to get hired,” Nakamura said. “All of the students have to create resumes and cover letters, and they even have to dress for the occasions. The class also has second interviews, as if you are actually getting the job.”

In Virtual Enterprise, students learn the skills of interviewing but also pick up expertise for success in the business field.

“Taking this class really helped me understand the steps to starting my own business,” Nakamura said. “It also taught me a lot about entrepreneurship. I think this class just goes to show how much work and effort you have to put into business and that you really need to work together to make sure everything looks good.”