Students from the Virtual Enterprises program at Northside School of Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship received a surprise announcement Thursday that could help shape their futures in the local business and tech industries: an all-expenses paid trip to New York City TO take part in April's Youth Business Summit.
At the summit, VE students will participate in a week of business competitions, a business showcase and leadership activities that bring together aspiring young entrepreneurs from all over the world in a global convention.
The trip is sponsored by HSBC Bank USA's Opportunity Fund, a grant that offsets the costs of travel to the summit and expenses for students from underserved communities. The bank also sponsors the summit itself and has supported San Antonio's Virtual Enterprises program for 25 years with years of volunteer support. It has also given $3.4 million in total funding to VE programs across the country.
Virtual Enterprises teacher Carol Mullins said the grant provides an opportunity for local students to be able to share their hard work and complete with other aspiring entrepreneurs from around the world.
NSITE, located on the Wendell Holmes High School campus, has an enrollment of more than 700 students. A business and technology magnet school with a rigorous application process, it prepares high-achieving San Antonio students for future careers in business, tech, finance and entrepreneurship.
The school offers cybersecurity and entrepreneurship programs, computer programming and software development coursework, as well as industry-standard certifications in related fields. It also provides mentorship programs with local financial professionals, some of whom are volunteers from HSBC Bank USA. Courses include principles of business, marketing and finance as well as virtual business and social media marketing.
The school has also forged corporate partnerships with companies like Wells Fargo, American Funds and Washington Mutual. Juniors and seniors can prepare for the workforce by attending regular job fairs where they can explore the possibility of internships and other opportunities in the San Antonio business, finance and tech spheres.
