What Is CEO - Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship
The CEO Program is funded by local business investors strengthens your local community provides 2 high school credits utilizes area businesses as classrooms emphasizes 21st century Learning skills
CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) is based on the successful program in Effingham, Illinois. The CEO program:
- Is funded by business investors
- Is open to high school juniors and seniors
- Selects students through a rigorous application process
- Serves students from public and private high schools
- Meets for 90 minutes each day
- Provides 2 high school credits
- Utilizes area businesses as classrooms
- Visits 30-50 area businesses each year
- Hosts 30-40 guest speakers each year
- Emphasizes 21st century Learning skills
- Provides the opportunity for each student to start their own business
- Provides a mentor from the business community for each CEO student
- Hosts an annual trade show to showcase student businesses
What is CEO explained by Craig Lindvahl
Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities is a year-long course designed to utilize partnerships that provide an overview of business development and processes.
Our local business community partners with area schools to create project-based experiences for students by providing funding, expertise, meeting space, business tours, and one-on-one mentoring. Students visit area businesses, learn from guest speakers, participate in a class business, write business plans, and start and operate their own businesses. Business concepts learned through the experiential CEO class are critical; the 21st century skills of problem-solving, teamwork, self-motivation, responsibility, higher-order thinking, communication, and inquiry are at the heart of a student’s development throughout the course.
Student Testimonials
CEO isn’t just a class; it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I am honored to be a part of.
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Mariah BushueCEO Student Class of 2015
From local business visits to planning the class business, I have learned so much from various advice and our own experiences; the good and bad. I went from being a regular high school kid to a future entrepreneur envisioning my own business. Without CEO it would not have been possible.
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Amber QuastJasper CEO Class of 2015
"The CEO Program has changed my life. I learned many valuable lessons about the business and real world from many leaders in our community. I am more confident with myself. I learned to never give up and keep moving forward. Connections are the key in any career field. Now, I know I want to be involved with business as I'm getting older. CEO has created a foundation for my future endeavors. I couldn't be any more grateful that I had the opportunity to participate in such an amazing experience! Thank you CEO for everything and good luck to the next participants!"
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Sandy Amorado2016-16 Alumni
It is a good feeling though because you start connecting all the dots from every experience we encountered to build one big thing. Its's amazing how that works.
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Devin WrightCEO Student
CEO is not just a typical routine class, it is a class that gives deep meaningful life lesson and completely changes you. It is the foundation of who you want be and what you want to accomplish.
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Delaney HealJasper CEO Class of 2015