Virtual Enterprise (VE) is a course that offers an immersive business simulation experience in which students develop vital skills such as public speaking in order for them to succeed in college and later in life. This includes presenting students with opportunities that simulate experiences in real business careers; students dress up in attire that reflects a professional and polished appearance, take roles of employees in a company, collaborate in groups, and present speeches.
Junior Aiden Pearsall, a first-year student in the class, offered his definition of what VE is: “We create a mock business on an international level to give students a basic idea of business in the real world.” In VE, students are able to immerse themselves into the experience of working for a simulated business. Popular as an elective, in VE, students run for specific positions, such as chief executive officer (CEO) and chief financial officer (CFO), as well as lower-level positions in smaller departments such as advertising.
Senior Sydney Coble described her second year as a VE student by illustrating the benefits the course has provided her with. She said, “Being a second-year VE student is an incredible experience that I am grateful to have. In comparing last year to this, I am at more ease when it comes to Virtual Enterprise…. As improvements go on in my company, Revive, will have significantly improved. Since it is our second year in operation, we can learn from our previous mistakes and grow as a company.” Coble continues to encourage other students to take this course as she believes it is “an amazing opportunity and teaches you life skills on a deeper level.”
“In VE, students learn how to work with different personalities outside and within their own firm. VE has taught me how to talk to different people from around the world and also helps me with my presentation skills,” added Coble. Lastly, she believes the course is essential in helping students come out of their comfort zone and be exposed to a new class in which students publicly speak and compete in competitions or trade shows. Coble said, “Going to trade shows, I got to network with a variety of people and also participate in a business plan competition where I had to present with coworkers in front of judges. I enjoy this because it forced me to step out of my comfort zone when it came to talking to new people and presenting.” Moreover, Ben Tieniber or Doc. T, the VE facilitator/teacher, believes that VE “offers students real-world opportunities and a chance to learn vital life skills such as public speaking, resume writing, interview preparation, and buying and selling goods domestically and internationally.”
The learning environment around this course offers not only fosters collaboration among students but also equips them with essential skills needed for academic and college success. Nevertheless, as Tieniber described, “This course pushes my students to be the best they can be.”
