OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS:

Class Mentor 

Individuals may choose to serve as a mentor to a class. The mentor imparts his or her own business experiences.  The mentor serves as a resource to the classroom teacher and to the students on such topics as financial reports, marketing, product development, customer services, etc.

Time Commitment:  Four hour monthly commitment spent with students and teacher for the duration of the course.

Pitch Day Mentors

Pitch Day is an opportunity for students to give a brief “elevator pitch” of their business idea to a panel of professionals. Students are given the hypothetical scenario that they are in an elevator with potential investors and they only have the time it takes to ride an elevator to sell their idea. NFTE volunteers ask questions and offer constructive suggestions the students. Each student has three minutes to pitch their idea, which is then followed by questions from the volunteers. Pitch Day is a critical component of the NFTE experience. It gives students the opportunity to practice public speaking and teaches them the importance of selling their ideas.

Time Commitment: One visit per semester, time frame contingent upon number of students (average 1-3 hours)

Business Plan Coaching

Individuals may choose to serve as in-class mentors to individuals and small groups of students working on their business plans.  Coaching has a profound impact on student success and NFTE business formation rates jump from 14% to 30% when students are coupled with mentors.  

Time Commitment: Four hour monthly commitment spent with students and teacher, with two additional evening events in preparation for our business plan competition. 

In-Class Business Plan Competition Judges

The NFTE program culminates with each student presenting a business plan.  A panel of business leaders judge the top five business plans at a school based business plan competition. 

Time Commitment: 90 minutes per competition typically held twice a year (January and May)

Guest Speaking

There are many opportunities to guest speak or teach a lesson on topics such as supply and demand, record keeping, marketing, brainstorming business ideas, income statements, getting started (financing), or industry-specific topics. Or just come and share your experience and lessons you’ve learned. 

Time Commitment: approximately 1 hour per session.

Alumni Mentor

Once the students have completed the NFTE program they need advice and guidance from business professionasl in order to register and grow their business. Mentors will be paired with NFTE alumni in the field.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CORPORATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS:

Corporate Adopt-A-Class

NFTE can pair a team of corporate/organization volunteer coaches with a class of NFTE students at a local school or community-based organization.  Working in conjunction with the site’s NFTE teacher, the team will guide students through their development of business plans and entry of the plans into site and citywide competitions.

Time Commitment: varies

Business Plan Competition Judges

The NFTE program culminates with each student presenting a business plan.  A panel of business leaders from a corporation/organization judge the top five business plans from each school with the winner going on to the citywide competition.  Businesses are awarded venture capital ranging from $50 to $1000. The corporation/organization may also choose to host the competition at their location.

Time Commitment: 90 minutes per competition twice a year in January and May.

NFTE BizDay™ (In Business for a Day)

Corporations/Organizations host the trade fair in which students from one or more NFTE classes sell their wares for a day.  We seek venues with heavy foot traffic during the workday.

Time Commitment: 3-4 hours throughout the year.

 

For more information about volunteering opportunities please contact Katie Schroeder at katie.schroeder@nfte.com or 410-630-1305.