Craig Schroeder Senior Associate Engaging Entrepreneurial Young People February 21, 2008 Indiana HTC Academy

Agenda: Making the Case Engaging ‘E’ Young People System for Youth Engagement Models and Resources Next Steps for Your Community

Critical Issues  Generational Wealth Transfer  Historical Youth Out-Migration Trends  Loss of Farms, Industry and Small Businesses  Erosion of Leadership and Civic Capacity

Gallup Poll Results Seven out of 10 (69%) high-school students are interested in starting their own business, but 86% rated themselves as very poor to fair on their knowledge of business and entrepreneurship. 85% of these students thought it was important or very important to receive entrepreneurship education in schools. Gallup Organization, Inc. 1994

Sampling of Youth Survey Results Plan to Attend College Desire to Return Home Want to Own Business Own Business Now Atkinson Pop %66%57%14% O'Neill Pop. 3,852 98%55%64%12% Stuart Pop %66%60%14% Survey of all high school (9-12) students,

Survey Questions Cambridge Pop. 1,041 McCook Pop. 7,994 Columbus Pop. 20,971 Garden County Pop. 2,292 Rate your community (1-10) Interested in owning your own business in the future? 47%41%43%51% Have a business right now? 17%9%7%19% Picture yourself living in the area in the future? 47%48%49% More Youth Survey Results Survey of all JH and HS (7-12) students, 2007

New Opportunities – Entrepreneurship – Information Technology – Biotechnology Youth Perspectives – Family and Community – Quality of Life and Civic Engagement – Entrepreneurship – a preferred career path

Youth Are Critical to Rural Vitality! 3:1 positive impact upon population Long-term business and career goals Educated workforce for expanding businesses Substantial consumers of goods and services New energy, skills, ideas and resources Support and use public institutions Retention of local generational wealth

Targeting Youth “E” Talent… Youth currently in your community may well represent your greatest resource for economic growth and community sustainability. The challenge is to: engage these youth, equip them with the skills and knowledge to be successful, and then support them and their enterprising ventures.

Exercise: Youth Engagement Community Capacity Questionnaire

How do communities involve youth? Do to YouthDo for YouthDo with Youth Skateboard Zoning Trash Cleanup Focus on Stars and Ignore Other Youth Teen Center College Scholarships Tell Youth the Right Way to Do Things Youth Events Decision Making Listen and Support Youth Discovery

Tools for Youth Engagement Listening and encouraging by adults Scholarships and apprenticeships Personal finance education Micro-lending fund Business incubator and support services Peer networks and adult mentors Generational Business Transfer

Identifying E-Youth May not immediately come to mind Can be introverted to very engaging Creative and enjoy experimenting May find them in the workshop or craft room May not be high academic achievers Often have one or more micro-businesses May talk about markets more than sports, etc. Usually know they are wired differently (1:10)

Young Adult ‘E’ Indicators Own a business or express this desire Have a micro-business on the side Might find them drawing ideas on napkins Engaged in creative hobbies – talent or gift May be involved in non-profit or civic roles Taking a marketing class at an area college Come up with creative ways to solve problems May have put their dream on the back burner

Community Support of Youth & Enterprises Entrepreneurial Education & Career Development Youth Involvement & Leadership in Community Engage Equip Support Youth Engagement System

Models… …Putting All the Pieces Together!

Indiana Success Story

Knox County Valley County Two HTC Case Studies…

Knox County Case Study #1:

Thinking Outside the Box Event Youth Chamber of Commerce Inventors Club Community Foundation Leadership Quest Business Project Group Project Individual Project Community Focused 11 th Grade Summer E-ship Program Nebraska Business Development Center Community College Campuses Host Communities Invitation to Get Involved!

Valley County Case Study #2:

Ord’s Young Entrepreneur Fair The Vision: 100’s of Young Entrepreneurs! Nancy Glaubke Business Development Coordinator

Resources: Innovation Center Tool Kit for Youth & Adults In Charting Assets & Creating Change (Formerly part of National 4H Council) Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education Clearinghouse of entrepreneurship education resources The Rural School and Community Trust Resources for rural schools and community-based learning EntrepreneurShip Investigation (ESI) Project oriented curriculum for middle-school age youth 4h.unl.edu/esi

Local Resources: Teachers Youth Program Leaders Young Adults Successful Entrepreneurs Parents and Grandparents Service Providers Volunteers

Mobilizing the Community  Find Several Champions  Engage School Administration Early  Look for Youth Organization Partner(s)  Core Mobilization Team: Youth and Young Adults School Administration and Key Faculty Youth Organization Leaders

Vehicles to Consider  4H  Jr. Achievement  FFA, FCCLA, FBLA, DECA  Young Adult Groups  Community Organizations

Center Resources Center for Rural Entrepreneurship RUPRI