Company Advisors are directly responsible for shaping the futures of today’s teens!

Company Advisors (CA's) play the most important role in the success of the Washington Business Week program. Not only do they serve as real-world role models from the community, they also develop personal connections with the teens helping to inspire a grand future of possibilities.

The Role of the Company Advisor

Company Advisors are business professionals who volunteer for a full week to guide a group of 10-12 teens (a.k.a. a Company) through an interactive real-world business simulation. As a CA you’ll mentor your student Company as they elect officers, make decisions for their simulation, brainstorm ideas for an imaginary business venture, develop leadership skills, and begin to work as a cohesive team. You are the support for the teen cohort as they navigate their way through a series of challenges designed to introduce them to the REAL world of business and careers.

But don’t worry. We’ll provide you with extensive training and mentoring throughout the week. All materials and curriculum is also provided which means you’re working with a proven approach.

Our best Company Advisors are people who have:

• A sincere desire to help young people reach their potential

• An interest in learning more about the free enterprise system

• A basic understanding of the business nature of their industry

• A desire to meet new people and have fun

• Exemplary ethical and moral standards

• Flexibility

• A sense of humor

Benefits of Being a Company Advisor

Anybody who has ever been a CA will tell you that the experience is exhausting. But they will also tell you that it was one of the most rewarding weeks of their lives. The benefits don't end with the chance to make a difference in the lives of teens. Our CA's also say that they are better employees after they've participated in the program.

Some of the professional benefits of being a CA are:

• A chance to network and build camaraderie with top business professionals from across the state.

• An opportunity to improve team-building and leadership skills.

• A challenging exercise in facilitating a group of strangers and molding them into a cohesive team that works together effectively.

• A chance to collaborate with business professionals and educators to help shape the workforce of tomorrow.

• An opportunity to enhance public speaking and presentation skills.

• Allows an opportunity to market individual jobs and companies the future workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions about Being a Company Advisor

What is the time commitment?
While being a CA is an incredibly rewarding experience, it can also be exhausting. The Summer Program takes place on four college campuses across the state. CA's stay in hotels nearby and are expected to arrive on the Friday before the program begins and stay through the following Saturday.

What kind of training will I receive?
Washington Business Week requires CA's to attend one of two full-day trainings 1 to 2 months prior to the program as well as a full day of training on campus right before the program begins. This session will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to the Business Week experience, as well as offer the tools, skills and knowledge needed to guide your team through the week. CA's will be sent the entire curriculum packet prior to the program including meeting agendas, activities, and a full program schedule. See the sample company meeting agenda to get a sense of what exactly will take place during the company meetings. If additional training is required, the Business Week staff is happy to help at any time.

Are my expenses for the Summer Program covered?
CA's are asked to pay $250 to cover all meals during the week (except for dinner on Wednesday evening) and to cover their own hotel costs. CA's are welcome to stay on campus for approx. $30/night if they'd prefer. Most companies see Business Week as a professional development tool and pay for their employees to attend.

___________________________________________________

Company Advisor Recommendations for Returning Students
We allow students to come back for another program after they fill out our Returning Student Questionnaire. We ask them to submit a short essay on why they want to do a second program and we also have them get a referral from their past Company Advisor. We do this because we want to make sure students are coming back for the right reasons. Some really want to explore other programs, but we want to weed out those students who want to attend again just for the social aspect. You may be contacted by one of your former students asking for a referral for the program. Please email Alisa (alisa@wbw.org) with your referral. It just has to be a paragraph or so on why you think they would benefit from another program and what contributions you think they’ll make.

You can download a little more information about writing the recommendation letter here.