University Students – Saturday July 7- Friday July 13

From any career major

3 credits in one week

High School Students 9-12 – Sunday July 8- Friday July 13

Grades 9-12, including 2012 graduates

½ credit on high school transcript or 2 college credits

K-12 Educators – Sunday July 8- Wednesday July 11

From any subject area

2-3 continuing education credits

Our 2011 Business Challenge Schedule has been finalized!

Click here to download the PDF

Business Challenge aims to provide participants with a better appreciation and understanding of business and entrepreneurship while earning credit towards graduation. Students tour industry sites, run their own business through a computer simulation, learn to write a marketing plan and create effective presentations, and meet some of North Dakota’s most influential people.

In addition to gaining a better knowledge of North Dakota’s economy, its opportunities, and obtain insight into career choices in the state participants also experience college life and strengthen scholarship applications.

Over 250 businesses, organizations, and individuals provide sponsorships, financial support, and in kind donations each year to enable students to attend the program with minimal costs. Business Challenge is a program of the North Dakota business community, Dickinson State University, and the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. For more information or to register for this year’s program use our Contact Form or call 1-800-279-4295, Ext. 2515.

Company Advisors are business professionals from around the state who volunteer for a full week to guide a “company,” a group of 10-12 teens, through an interactive real-world business simulation. As a CA, you’ll mentor your student Company as they elect officers, make decisions for their business simulation venture, brainstorm ideas, and develop leadership and teamwork skills. You are the support for the company as they navigate their way through a series of challenges designed to introduce them to the REAL world of business and careers.

Our best Company Advisors are people who have:

• A sincere desire to help young people reach their potential
• An interest in learning more about the free enterprise system
• A basic understanding of the business nature of their industry
• A desire to meet new people and have fun
• Exemplary ethical and moral standards
• Flexibility
• A sense of humor

Benefits of Being a Company Advisor

Anybody who has ever been a CA will tell you that the experience is exhausting, but they will also tell you that it was one of the most rewarding weeks of their lives.

The benefits don’t end with the chance to make a difference in the lives of teens, our CA’s also say that they are better employees after they’ve participated in the program.

Some of the professional benefits of being a CA are:
• A chance to network and build camaraderie with business professionals from across the state.
• An opportunity to improve team-building and leadership skills.
• A challenging exercise in facilitating a group of strangers and molding them into a cohesive
team that works together effectively.
• A chance to collaborate with business professionals and educators to help shape the workforce
of tomorrow.
• An opportunity to enhance public speaking and presentation skills.
• Allows an opportunity to market individual jobs and companies the future workforce.

CLICK HERE for for more information contact Sheri Monroe at 701.483.2515 or sheri.monroe@dickinsonstate.edu.

The North Dakota Business Challenge program supports the education of our youth on the importance of leadership, entrepreneurship, networking, teamwork, and decision making. Students run their own business through a computer simulation, write a marketing plan, create a presentation, tour industry sites, and meet some of North Dakota’s most influential people.

Business Challenge is gearing up for next year by setting up our speakers, curriculum, and fund raising. New in 2011, we are introducing a third year high school track. First year students get a ½ credit in entrepreneurship, second year ½ credit in marketing, and third year ½ credit in sports/entertainment marketing. This new track will take students to a new level of education to help them achieve leadership and success in their future careers.