Sing it with me...
"I believe the children are our future...teach them well and let them lead the way..." 🎵
Joking aside, today's youth are the future business leaders of our communities. At Geneva, we recognize and embrace this fact, and do everything we can to help prepare them for what lies ahead. For many years we've collaborated with high school and college students through scholarship competitions, classroom interaction, job-shadowing, and internships.
We often say the students we work with teach us just as much as (or maybe more than) we're able to teach them. It's amazing how much impact these young people can make on our business operations in the short window of time we get with them. Here are a few of our favorite programs...
1. DECA/Business CAPS class
Geneva's involvement with our local DECA and business programs started as an idea from Eric Hartmann, a business educator and DECA instructor at Alexandria Area High School (AAHS). A handful of years ago, Eric came to us with the proposal of doing a "Shark Tank" with his students to prep them for presenting their Business CAPS project to a crowd. This project many times doubles as their DECA project, and the presentation would also give them practice ahead of DECA competition season. The idea snowballed, and it quickly became an annual scholarship competition.
Each fall since that initial proposal, 6-8 Geneva team members volunteer to be mentors for student groups. They provide knowledge, advice, and assistance as students home their projects and ideas. Mid-way through the school year, the students literally pack the auditorium for a live pitch of their proposal - in front of hundreds of peers, parents, school staff, community business leaders, and our own panel of Shark Tank judges.
This January, students competed for $21,000 in scholarship dollars from Geneva Capital. As a past judge I can attest...choosing a winner is extremely difficult as these groups of seniors blow our minds every single year. It's an honor to have a front-row seat!
Shark Tank praise:
"Shark Tank is almost like a sporting event in a way; we have tons of people going to football and basketball games," said Eric Hartmann, Business CAPS teacher at the high school. "But to see these kids competing in a similar way, but in something they're going to be able to apply in the real world, is something that's enjoyable. It's pretty cool to see what they're capable of!" (Quote provided by Voice of Alexandria)
"When I came to Shark Tank and saw the maturity these students have...well, I would challenge any business owner to do the job these kids are doing. Building these marketing, business, and presentation skills give kids the confidence that they can really accomplish something...and they're good at it!" - Ellsworth Holm, former DECA/Business educator
2. Internships
Our internship program has been around since the early 2000's. With the move to our current facility in 2017, we were able to greatly expand and improve this program. We employ department-specific interns and have students job-shadow throughout the year, but our main internship program runs over the summer months. This "business intensive" internship attracts students from all over the country to live in Alexandria for the summer. (Ok, the lakes might also help draw them in.)
Usually headed into their senior year, these 5-6 business students rotate through several Geneva departments: Business Development, Financial Analysts, Inside Sales, Outside Sales, and Portfolio Services. These rotations provide an opportunity to not only experience (firsthand) many different job duties, but also apply skills from the college business courses they've taken. At the end of each rotation, interns give a presentation and offer suggestions they feel could help improve the department. It's always fun to hear their feedback, and a lot of the suggestions have been implemented. Bonus: To date, 15 of our past interns are now full-time employees!
Take it from an intern (or 3!):
Q: What were your internship expectations and how did they compare to your experience?
A: I thought I'd learn a lot, not only about accounting, but also about how daily business/office life is run. I ended up learning so much more than I expected, and they had me doing things I never thought I would get to do with no experience. My expectations for myself are now much higher because of the high expectations Geneva holds for every employee.
(Marie Kaiser, Accounting Intern)Q: Did you experience any personal growth during your internship?
A: I definitely gained a lot of confidence in myself. When the time came to look for an internship it was frightening. I felt like I was unprepared. But, after the summer was over I had learned what I was capable of!
(Allie Satterlie, former intern and current full-time team member)Q: What would you tell a friend who's looking for an internship about Geneva Capital?
A: Apply! You'll find great friends, great mentors, and the best work culture! These people value the idea of "work hard, play hard" and work together to achieve that balance. If you like pushing yourself to reach new goals, being involved in and outside of the office building, and having fun...this is the place to be! From volunteer work in the community and team breakfasts, your day is never dull. I rave about this company and my time here to everyone I know. Go GC!!!
(Alexis Chojnacki, former intern)
3. Scholarships
Giving back to students in the form of scholarships is another way we try to help students continue their quest to be our future leaders! In addition to the Shark Tank scholarships, each year we take applications from AAHS students for three scholarships. Two of these are named after amazing leaders and business mentors who have meant a lot to Geneva Capital: Tom Caron and Ellsworth Holm...both tremendous people and unbelievable leaders. We aim to award these scholarships based on the principles they've instilled in us, and to students who exemplify those qualities.
A goal of ours will always remain giving back, with most of that focus on youth.
As our Founder and CEO, Mark, always says, "I was fortunate to have had some great mentors and coaches in high school and college who helped me figure out my career path and short-circuited my success. It's our duty to be that guide for others if we're able (and lucky enough) to get that opportunity." Geneva Capital is a team sport, and so is community.
If you're an educator, student, or parent and want more information on scholarship opportunities or Geneva's internship and youth programs, please email info@gogc.com. If you're a current business leader, I challenge you to think about how you can give back to youth in your community...then do it!
It's not without work, but it's worth every second.
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