EARLY COLLEGE CAREER ACADEMY
What is Business and Entrepreneurship?
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between being a business person and an entrepreneur?
While they have many similarities – they both provide jobs, offer solutions to consumers through a product or service and contribute to the economy – they are quite different.
Business people can make a business out of a pre-existing idea or product, and they usually do it for a profit while taking calculated and managed risks. They define success through the business succeeding. An entrepreneur is usually the inventor of an idea or product, they are very passionate about what they are doing, are willing to take a lot of risk and define success as “simply trying.”
Therefore, business entrepreneurship is simply entrepreneurship practiced in business. Business and entrepreneurship skills and experience contribute to an individual’s decision to become an entrepreneur and the likelihood of their success.
Why Study Business and Entrepreneurship?
A wide and varied range of roles and careers are open to you when you study business and entrepreneurship.
"Gen Z (those born between 1994-2010) is poised to become the most entrepreneurial generation we’ve ever seen; they have access to resources that previous generations didn’t." In a study conducted by Entrepreneurship.com and Internships.com, 72% of high school students surveyed said they want to start a business someday.
“Entrepreneurship isn’t a ‘job;’ it’s a way of thinking about and approaching challenges and opportunities. That's why real entrepreneurs flourish in government, non-profit organizations and business -- as both employees and founders.” Amy Rosen, Partner at the Public Private Strategy Group
Employment Outlook
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, 113,528 new jobs were created in New York. 2.1 million small businesses operate in NY with 40.2 million small business employees.
Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in the growth of the NY economy. In the third quarter of 2016, 14,417 establishments started up, generating 50,848 jobs in New York. In the third quarter of 2017, New York grew at an annual rate of 4.0%, which was faster than the overall US growth rate.
For more information related to Career Opportunities, visit CareerZone and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Program Overview
This two-year program incorporates the skills and knowledge of business foundations while building the capacity of students to be imaginative and resourceful entrepreneurs. Major course topics include management, marketing, personal finance, accounting, small business finance, introduction to entrepreneurship and business plan development.
By the end of the program, students will have had the following experiences and opportunities:
- Create a product
- Build a business plan. Students will produce a business plan outlining their original idea and present this idea to a panel of small business community members.
- Participate in real world projects and industry challenges. Just as is done in the real world, students will often work in teams to design and develop novel solutions to class projects and industry challenges that are mentored by the program’s business partners.
- Build strong ties with local industry partners. The program’s business partners host students for learning opportunities alongside experts and guest lecture in our classes; which result in relationships and future employment opportunities.
- Use cutting edge technology. The Business and Entrepreneurship students are provided with a laptop and the latest versions of the most commonly used business softwares.
- Earn internationally recognized certifications. Students will have the opportunity to earn Six Sigma certification.
- Earn up to 23 college credits. Students will have the opportunity to earn up to 23 college credits.
The ECCA Program Catalog contains the names and descriptions of the courses in the Business and Entrepreneurship program, as well as a Plan of Study
Highlights
- project based work. Every subject is taught through project-based learning that engages students in every facet of their education.
- collaboration and innovation. Just as is done in the real world, students often work in teams to design and develop novel solutions to class projects and industry challenges.
- student-centered learning. Students take an active role in their own education, working with teachers in a professional, collaborative environment built on two-way communication.
Opportunities and Next Steps
1. Stay at SUNY Adirondack and complete degrees in Business Administration AS; Management, Marketing & Entrepreneurship AAS; Agriculture Business AAS; or an Entrepreneurship and Business Management Certificate.
2. Transfer to another 2 or 4-year college. Transfer Counseling available
3. Join the workforce. Career and job search assistance is available!