Students in Free Enterprise
“Planting a “SEED” in the Minds of Young Enterprising Students”
GREETINGS FROM TEAM SCSU! We have been in existence since 1996 and open to all
majors. Our mission is “to empower students, individuals, businesses
and communities to successfully compete in the free enterprise
system.” Each year our projects directly impact more than 5,000
persons in various age groups and have been publicized in more than 100,000
households through our local newspaper, radio station and website. TEAM
SCSU is changing the world and improving the quality of life through
learning and teaching others about the principles of market economics,
entrepreneurship, business ethics and personal financial success. TEAM SCSU collaborates
with several organizations including SCSU’s
SIFE
PROJECTS
THE ‘I
CHOOSE’ CAMP A
2006 summer camp to introduce low-income and at risk teenagers to business
development and building skills empowering them to one day start their own businesses
while providing much needed services to low-income and rural communities.
Participants learned from local builders and trade professionals and
got hands-on experience in carpentry, plumbing, electrical and building
careers, including detailed information on educational and licensing
requirements for several career choices. Students were also taken on a tour
of two homes under construction in Orangeburg. In addition, students worked in
teams on a weeklong building project, where they constructed 3-dimensional
homes. This program was funded
by a SIFE grant from the Marcus Foundation.
THE SEED PROGRAM The SEED Program
is designed to empower and engage students from several disciplines to
become innovative and entrepreneurial thinkers as they prepare for their
chosen careers. The program focuses on the entrepreneurial process from
conception to birth of a new venture.
Working as E-teams, students get hands-on experience in learning how
to recognize an entrepreneurial opportunity, developing a business plan,
developing a product prototype and identifying resources to convert
opportunities to a viable business enterprise. The SEED Program is
implemented at the college level through a Free Enterprise course, where
students produce and sell a product. During the Spring Semester, E-Teams
produced and sold chocolate candies. A SEED Summer Camp was held with high
school students. At the end of
the course and summer camp, students presented their products to a panel of
judges in a competition. This program was initially funded through an NCIIA
grant and a USDA Capacity Building Grant.
An Ethics Survey was
distributed to members of the Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce to get their views
on how ethical principles and actions work for their company and staff, as
well as what suggestions they have to improve ethical conduct in
business. Based on the
survey results, a newspaper article on “Ethics in the
Workplace” was developed and training program on “Workplace
Ethics.” An ethics game called “DO THE RIGHT
THING!” was also developed and used to teach business
ethics in our Professional Development courses.
THE ETHICS PROJECT
A
program to teach high school females who may have an interest in becoming
an entrepreneur someday, about money management. The
program is implemented over a four-week period on Saturdays during the
Spring Semester. Participants
are guided through the book “Smart Women Finish Rich,” by David
Bach.
A YOUNG WOMEN FINANCIAL LITERACY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP MENTORING PROGRAM
The objective of this project is to teach kids about the free
enterprise system through participation. After receiving some instructions
from TEAM SCSU, they sell toys and concession items such as candy, chips,
sandwiches, and drinks for a 4-hour period. Each participant must construct an
advertising sign also. In
addition to selling items, they also learn about bartering and trade items
among themselves. Wal-Mart gift
cards are awarded for the 1st, 2nd & 3rd
place in sales and best advertising sign.
THE KID’ SWAP TRADE MART
Other SIFE Projects have
included Financial Management Forums, The Cupid Hugs & Kisses Shop, The
YES Afterschool Program, Entrepreneurship Seminars, an International
Business Management Decision-Making Simulation, South Africa Project and
Cell Phone Project.
OTHER SIFE PROJECTS
For more information on SIFE, visit the national
SIFE website at www.sife.org or contact: Dr. Barbara L. Adams (803) 536-8214