Over the summer, DePaul’s Driehaus College of Business invited high school
students from across the Chicago area to participate in academic programs that introduced
them to the higher education experience and potential future careers.
The Actuarial Academy, hosted by the Department of Finance, selected teen
math scholars to learn about actuarial sciences careers, meet with professionals working in the field and participate
in hands-on learning activities. The students formed teams to compete in
actuarial challenges, with each team sponsored by a corporate partner.
The Department of Management organized the "Be Your Own
Boss" program with the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), BMO Harris and Macy’s. The six-week curriculum focused on career awareness,
college readiness, team building and leadership skills.
See what the teens experienced at DePaul:
The Actuarial Academy culminated with the student groups presenting their projects to the sponsors and their parents. “We are building the brand of DePaul and enhancing the actuarial profession with this academy. We are looking to attract a higher caliber of students to DePaul and introduce a lucrative career where each of these students can succeed,” says Tom Edwalds, clinical professor of finance and the executive director of the Arditti Center for Risk Management at DePaul.
The Actuarial Academy brought together 36 Chicago-area high school math students on DePaul’s Campus to learn more about actuarial science as a career.
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The Actuarial Academy students were divided into seven teams and assigned a real-world risk management project to solve by the end of the week. “My favorite activity this week was speaking with people who are in the profession, especially having lunch with our sponsor. You get a firsthand view of what happens in their careers,” says Gavin Swartz (front row second from the right).
Rayana Bush (front row, center) from Kenwood Academy H.S. works on her project with her blue-clad student team sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. “I've always wanted to find an interesting math profession, but there was never one I thought I fit in,” says Bush. “The actuary profession has opened my eyes to what I could be in the future.”
Hannah Gallinaitis from Hinsdale Central High School receives her graduation certificate from Actuarial Academy leaders and DePaul professors (from left to right) Tom Edwalds, Carl Luft and Stefanos Orfanos. “This academy exposed me to people who are using math in a career with high job satisfaction. It gave me a taste of what’s to come,” says Gallinaitis.
The Department of Management hosted 20 high school students for a summer program called “Be Your Own Boss.” Created in conjunction with the Chicago Housing Authority, the program focused on preparing students for careers and leadership.
Over the course of four weeks, students learned about leadership, management, marketing, sales, accountancy, financial planning, hospitality, communications and entrepreneurship, while visiting with sports and business executives from the Bulls, Bears, Cubs, PepsiCo and Macy’s.
In the first week of the program, students traveled to Iron Oaks Environmental Learning Center in Olympia, Ill., where they had a chance to learn team-building skills outdoors. Abdullah Hutcherson (holding the rope) enjoyed the program’s field trips to the Chicago sports teams and businesses, but particularly loved Iron Oaks. “I am into fitness and want to own my own gym one day,” says Hutcherson. “The Be Your Own Boss program has allowed me to learn about the marketing and business aspects of entrepreneurship.”
School of Accountancy Assistant Professor Willie Reddic taught the students how to use fundamental accounting for startup companies.
At the end of this six-week program, students received a professional wardrobe courtesy of Macy’s. They learned how to make a polished business presentation, which they delivered in front of an audience of family friends and supporters from CHA, BMO Harris and DePaul.
Alajah Dugar (center) wanted to participate in the Be Your Own Boss program to get direction for her future. “This program is important because it shows kids that there are bigger and better things in life and you can achieve them. It made me reconsider a lot of life decisions,” says Dugar.