Business connects to every career and field: law, the medical field, technology, architecture, or engineering. At Brentwood High School, we currently have sixteen business-related courses available for student enrollment, as well as three prestigious and upcoming business clubs and one prominent Honor Society.
Not only is our collection of clubs and classes impressive, but even more significant are the skills these classes help students develop, such as critical thinking, communication, and problem- solving skills. The skills a student learns in each of these business classes prepare them for encounters with common real-world occurrences and experiences.
Four of the many business classes offered at Brentwood High School also include college credit. Our Virtual Enterprise class, for example, is an amazing class that provides a realistic experience to demonstrate how an actual business or company operates, and the responsibilities that are expected of each member.
Not only can a student receive transferable credit from Farmingdale College, but each student is interviewed for placement into specific positions and roles, in different areas of business. For example, IT, Marketing, Finance, and Human Resources. A certain number of students are also able to take Chief positions like CTO and CMO, with one student being selected as the CEO. This class is an amazing option for any student who sees a future in business or is even looking for a position that requires an acknowledgment of responsibility at the college-level.
There are many different types of business classes ranging from College Accounting to Investing in the Stock Market. Business Law, Principles of Marketing, and Financial Literacy are three great classes for students interested in law itself or any student interested in learning digital literacy, which is imperative for any career field that is being changed drastically due to the advances of technology. Not only are these classes necessary for students of Brentwood to take advantage of, but this class leaves the students with a solid understanding of how to manage their money, save and build credit, as well as understanding the true game of capitalism and how to play with a winning hand.
The Business of Music class is a class in the works and will be a great opportunity for students interested in the business end of music, which includes working with labels, promotion, producing, and legal counsel. This course offers not only college credit, but the entire business end of music is a global multi-billion-dollar industry, comprised of a small percentage creating music and a great number of people who work on the inside.
Keyboarding, Retail Management, Microsoft Office Certification, and Business Ownership and Entrepreneurship are all classes take to learn valuable information. The Brentwood Institute of Business also has a class for students who do not really know where they want to go: the Career Management class. This class will help you find “your career” and develop skills, attitudes, and abilities today’s employers are looking for.
One of the most interactive and competitive business clubs that Brentwood has is DECA. This club was historically founded to encourage students to explore marketing, and other business fields. Currently DECA is being run by Mr. Carrion, who was a former member of DECA and President of his chapter.
DECA is now a global organization that prepares students in business careers, but as Mrs. McNamara reiterates to us, “Business is important to understand for any career choice.”
Members in DECA participate in events that simulate real-life business challenges, such as creating market plans, dealing with customers, even pitching and marketing ideas. This year, DECA students have the chance to go to States, where they will compete in Albany. These competitions will be a great chance for students to network with other students and business professionals and develop their leadership skills and gain experience in the business world. Currently, Brentwood’s DECA students are studying and working hard to make sure they qualify for States and take home the gold!
FBLA, or Future Business Leaders of America, is a national organization helping students gain more business and problem-solving skills. FBLA works with local businesses and universities, to create enjoyable experiences and promote hands-on community service activities.
Ms. Buechner is the club advisor of FBLA and states her main goal for FBLA students is to encourage and teach students the importance of the school community and to become well-rounded leaders, expanding their knowledge in different fields of business.
The Wall-Street club is a new club run by Ms. Demas, which was designed to teach students about finance, how the stock market works, economic trends, and the basics of financial literacy. The club participates in “The Stock Market Game” in which students use fake digital money to in real-world stocks and watch, real time, how stocks trend moves up and down.
Students learn to make analyzed and critical decisions in order to receive the highest stock return. This club is an excellent opportunity for students curious about money management and investing.
Brentwood High School also has a merit-based Business Honor Society. The Honor Society has amazing opportunities for students, including partnering with the town of Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, and gaining experience from their professional executive team. The society provides opportunities for networking, leadership development, and community service.
The Society recognizes students that display a distinct dedication and passion for business, fueling their futures by enrolling in business classes and showing promise in their business-related skills within the school environment and high school level. The Business Honor Society does well to provide an image of commitment and dedication to Brentwood.
Business prepares people for life in a general sense. If we really consider the positive implications of taking these business classes at a young age, and with the immersion of our students into the inner workings of business by bringing it into the schools, and transforming it into a curriculum, these implications are extremely worthwhile.
In a nation where everything is business, the skills that we acquire now in high school, while taking advantage of the courses offered to us, are priceless and should not be taken for granted.
