BUSINESS

Student: Ximena Valdez

Course: 3rd
Date: 07-11-22
Teacher: Dayana Braga

ARTICLE
Students Learn Real Skills in ‘Virtual’ Businesses
Young people from around the United States gathered in Pasadena,
California recently to talk about businesses they created.

The businesses are completely virtual. Their products and services are
not real. And only virtual money is exchanged.

One thousand three hundred students attended the conference, which

was organized by Virtual Enterprises International.

The New York City-based group says it helps high school students learn
modern business skills, including problem solving, communication and
technology. The group says it is influenced by the European tradition of
apprenticeships in which students learn from people already working in a
business or trade.

The Pasadena event seemed like a trade show with many virtual
businesses offering products such as communications technology or
food.

Students from Miguel Contreras Business and Tourism School in Los

Angeles tried to get customers for their business, Big City Tours, which
only exists online.
Their business is special, they say, because it provides virtual tours to
different parts of Los Angeles. Customers can learn about the city’s
ethnic heritage, see high-end fashion or visit stores.

Teacher Darrell Iki says the experience is just like a real business.
Students start with a business plan. They are named to leadership
positions and learn to work together.

Miguel Santin, a student from Century High School, said he now

understands the pressure of running a company.

“You really need to be hands on with your employees and make sure you
guys have strong communication. Otherwise the company just won’t
prosper as much as you would expect.

Answer the questions:

1. Were the students able to make money out of their businesses?

No, the business provides them money

2. How many students attended the conference in Pasadena?

One thousand three hundred students

3. Who organized the conference?

Young people from around the United States gathered in

Pasadena, California

4. What is your take on the virtual businesses conference in

Pasadena, California?

I think is a very interesting and useful information

5. Do you believe it's important for high school students to learn

modern business skills? Why? Why not?
 Yes, I think that is very important to know about these kind of stuff,
because in your future you have to defend yourself and create a
way to have succeed and to have a steady economic life, is
important to know about business stuff.

6. Would you argue that strong communication is the key to success

in any business? Why? Why not?

Yes, I think that the communication is the principal thing in every

situation you’ve passing through, and in the businesses is longer
more important to avoid any disagreement or differences in your
team.

7. What towns or cities would you like to experience through a virtual

tour? Why?

I would like to experience any town of Italy, because I like Italy and
it culture.

8. In your opinion, what are the benefits of learning from people

already working in a business or trade rather than studying at
university?

The experience the workers have, that’s principal benefit

Exercise 5
Further Discussion

1. Is it common for young people in your country to take

apprenticeships? Please explain your answer.

Yes, because the young people in my country, at least in my social circle

wants to know and to have a great future, so they take apprenticeships
to increase their knowledge.
2. If you were to start your own business, what goods or services
would it sell?

I would sell food, fast food, desserts

3. In your opinion, what would be the most challenging thing about

starting a business? Why do you think so?

I think one of them is the capital, the money you have to invert not
knowing if you´re going to recuperate it, other could be the
mentalizing your failure or succeed, the mind is very confusing and
strong, you have to be sure about your objectives and that you are
capable to do.

4. Do you think you'd be able to handle the pressure of running a

company? Why? Why not?

Yes, I would be capable to handle, because I consider me like a

good person working under pressure and in the future I would like
to have my own business, my own company.