Entrepreneurship Curriculum for High School Students

How studying entrepreneurship in high school leads to summer job success

Do you remember your first summer job?

Maybe you scooped ice cream at Dairy Queen, babysat for your neighbors, or were part of a lawn-mowing crew. Whatever you did, your summer job undoubtedly helped you gain practical experience, earn money, and develop life-changing skills. 

The Importance of Entrepreneurship Curriculum for High School Students

In a 2023 survey by Wakefield Research, 61 percent of the teenagers polled said that they would rather start their own business than have a traditional job. This growing interest in entrepreneurship highlights the need for high schools to incorporate an entrepreneurship curriculum into their classes. By doing so, schools can help students develop the skills needed to succeed not just as future business owners, but also in any summer job—whether they’re working in retail, at a restaurant, or launching their own venture.

Entrepreneurship Curriculum Teaches Students Seven Essential Skills

Here are seven essential skills a well-designed curriculum for entrepreneurship can help students develop—skills that will not only make them stand out in summer jobs or land their first internship, but also set them up for long-term success in any career.

1. Problem-Solving Skills

2. Customer Service Mindset

3. Financial Responsibility

4. Time Management

5. Adaptability and Resilience

6. Leadership and Initiative

7. Networking and Professional Growth

   
   

Dive into each one below.

1. Problem-Solving Skills

Entrepreneurship classes teach students to think critically and solve problems creatively. In a summer job, these skills help students handle difficult customers, troubleshoot, and find ways to work more efficiently. Employers value workers who can take initiative rather than wait for instructions. In fact, a LinkedIn survey found that problem solving is one of the top nine in-demand skills that employers seek.

2. Customer-Service Mindset

Understanding customer needs is crucial in both entrepreneurship and summer jobs. Whether students are interacting with clients or customers, their ability to provide a positive experience creates lasting relationships and strengthens their work performance. In 2023, customer service skills ranked as very important for nearly 240 occupations.

3. Financial Responsibility

Learning about basic accounting and sales includes lessons on budgeting, pricing, and managing finances. Students learn how to track their earnings, save for future goals, and about the importance of financial responsibility.

4. Time Management 

Running a business—even in a classroom setting—requires planning, prioritization, and time management. These skills help students balance their summer job hours with other responsibilities and learn to work smarter. Click here for a free resource around how to help your students manage time.

5. Adaptability and Resilience

Entrepreneurs must adapt quickly to changes. In a summer job, students with an entrepreneurial mindset are better equipped to handle unexpected challenges, such as schedule changes or high-pressure situations. Their ability to stay calm and adjust makes them valued employees.

6. Leadership and Initiative

Studying entrepreneurship helps students take ownership of their work. In a summer job, this might mean finding ways to help coworkers or suggesting new ideas. Teenagers who show leadership potential may be given additional responsibilities, rehired, or receive positive recommendations for college or other positions. This 2024 Forbes article explores the connection between leadership and entrepreneurialism.

7. Networking and Professional Growth

Students who study entrepreneurship learn how to build relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and customers, and that connections that can lead to mentorship and future job opportunities. These additional networking tips and strategies from Harvard Business can help you get the most out of your entrepreneurial networking experience.

The Case for Making Entrepreneurship Part of Every High School Curriculum

A summer job lets students develop skills that will serve them well in any post-secondary path and even land their first student internship. High school entrepreneurship curriculum provides students with problem-solving abilities, financial literacy, leadership skills, and a growth mindset, all of which make them more valuable employees. Whether they’re working for someone else or starting their own business, students who receive an entrepreneurial education are better prepared to succeed in the workforce and beyond.

By combining these entrepreneurial skills with hands-on experience in a summer job, students not only contribute more effectively to their workplace but also build a foundation for future success in both their academic and professional careers.

Want to introduce your students to entrepreneurial thinking? Download a free curriculum module, How to Come Up with a Business Idea, complete with a lesson plan, student tool kit, case study, and more to spark creativity and problem-solving.