What is CEO
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) began in the Fall of 2008 in Effingham, Illinois.
The CEO program:
- Is funded by business investors
- Is open to high school juniors and seniors
- Selects students through a rigorous blind application process
- Serves students from public, private high schools and home school.
- Meets for 90 minutes each day
- Provides 2 high school credits
- Utilizes area businesses as host sites and never meets in a classroom.
- Visits 40+ area businesses each year
- Hosts 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
The first semester of CEO has been beyond amazing. I have learned so much about myself and others. Visiting businesses around Jasper County has opened my eyes and shocked me over and over again. I have met so many amazing people through CEO. I feel that I have grown up so much over the past four months and I wouldn’t change my experience for anything.
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Katelyn HardiekJasper CEO 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
"I want to get an inside look at local businesses. I plan on attending SIU Edwardsville for a business degree, and when I graduate, I want to manage my parents’ business, Pyramid Marble and Granite. I think this class has endless opportunities. It could open new doors for my career and life. I am blessed to reside in a town where the CEO teachers and business owners are willing to invest their time, money, and knowledge into this program. I know CEO will help prepare me for my future."
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Megan BrandtCEO Student
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
The amount of networking and general life skills that I have acquired from this class astound me. Before, I would be a little hesitant to talk to a stranger, but now I can go up to anyone no matter who they are and successfully carry a conversation. The opportunities that have been opened to me just from that aspect alone have made this class worthwhile.
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Chris PitcherJasper CEO Class of 2015