Entrepreneurship Career Pathway
Is your student always starting new things with energy and vision? Do they have ambition and a tendency toward risk? Have they already started their own business—babysitting service, lawn care, an online shop, or a clever idea to fill a void? If so, they might have what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurs start and run businesses. Those who succeed have a keen knowledge of their market and customers and deliver a superior product or service at the right price. They need to know a little of everything—from accounting and finance to marketing and sales. And they know how to put together a solid business plan and see it through.
The Stride Career Prep* Entrepreneurship Pathway provides students with a well-rounded background in business that could also transition to a formal business degree that would be of value to many employers.
Gain real-world skills through project-based learning.
Stride Career Prep has implemented project-based learning (PBL) for many of the courses in this pathway. PBL curriculum is designed to give your student the practical skills they need to be an entrepreneur by honing their problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, and team collaboration skills. Our experienced teachers guide them through developing a marketing plan for a small business. Students in this pathway gain the knowledge, skills, experience, and confidence necessary to start a new venture or business right after graduation—or maybe even while still in high school.
Our Entrepreneurship Curriculum in Detail
All of our students take the core courses required for high school graduation in their state. The chart below shows the additional classes your student will take as an Entrepreneurship Pathway student. You can see the rest of the curriculum by viewing the full course list.
Note: Pathway courses are subject to change.
†New in fall 2022
Get credentialed.
In a world where competition for jobs, pay increases, and academic success continues to increase, certifications provide a credible, third-party assessment of a student's skills and knowledge of a given subject. The Entrepreneurship Pathway curriculum prepares students to take these industry-recognized certification exams:**
Get ahead of the competition.
We encourage students to jumpstart the job search by helping them create a professional résumé, cover letter, and profile on Tallo, the leading professional networking platform for Gen Z. Plus, they connect virtually to working business professionals and entrepreneurs through Nepris.***
Find a school near you that offers entrepreneurship.
Stride Career Prep programs with the Entrepreneurship pathway are available at tuition-free, Stride K12-powered, fully accredited, public online schools in the following states:
Don't see your state? Check out the tuition-based option here in the Entrepreneurship Pathway. There are also tuition-free options in related fields like the Business Finance Pathway!
Choose a career. Prepare for the future.
Insurance Sales Agent
Insurance sales agents contact potential customers and sell one or more types of insurance. Insurance sales agents explain various insurance policies and help clients choose plans that suit their needs.
2020 Median Salary
$52,180
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Average
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED; insurance agents must also be licensed in the state in which they practice
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on February 9, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, , visit bls.gov/ooh/sales/insurance-sales-agents.htm.
Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. Real estate agents may specialize in commercial or residential real estate, and in working with buyers or sellers. When working with sellers, real estate agents handle all aspects of listing the property, recommend repairs and upgrades, recommend a listing price, advertise through direct mail campaigns and magazine and newspaper ads, hold open houses, and assist the seller in negotiating and closing a deal. When working with buyers, real estate agents identify suitable properties, accompany buyers on property visits, and assist in putting together an offer, negotiating a final contract, and closing the sale. Most agents are self-employed, although many are affiliated with (though not employed by) a real estate brokerage firm (e.g., Long and Foster).
2020 Median Salary
$52,180
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Average
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED; insurance agents must also be licensed in the state in which they practice
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on February 9, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, , visit bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm.
Small Business Owner
Small businesses are generally defined as employing fewer than 500 employees, though many small businesses employ no one at all other than the owner. Small business owners range from owners of retail businesses, like bakeries, bike shops, and restaurants; to self-employed childcare providers, web developers, and consultants; to landscaping and construction businesses. No matter their specialty, they must oversee all aspects of their business, from marketing and sales to accounting and tax reporting—and, of course, they must ensure they turn a profit.
2020 Median Salary
Varies
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Data not available
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED, and significant expertise (and often required licenses) in the industry the individual is entering
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on February 9, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/careeroutlook/2014/article/self-employment-what-to-know-to-be-your-own-boss.htm.
Freelance Writer or Author
Writers and authors develop written content for various types of media. They can work anywhere they have access to a computer, and many are self-employed.
2020 Median Salary
$67,120
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on February 9, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm.
Personal Financial Advisor
Personal financial advisors provide advice to help individuals manage their money and plan for their financial future. Most personal financial advisors work in the finance and insurance industry or are self-employed. They typically work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. They also may meet with clients in the evenings or on weekends.
2020 Median Salary
$89,330
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Slower than average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree; a master's degree and certification may improve chances for advancement
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on February 23, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/personal-financial-advisors.htm.
FAQs
What is an entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur is a fancy name for someone who starts a business. The term can imply that the person has unusual drive and ambition and is undertaking the business at great financial risk.
The truth is that entrepreneurs are just as diverse—in terms of age, gender, race, ethnicity, and background—as the businesses they run. They might start a bakery, a martial arts studio, or a party planning business. They might invent and market shapewear (Sara Blakely), found a website that helps parents of special needs children connect with each other (Sehreen Noor Ali), or start a new fitness craze like Zumba (Alberto Perez).
What all entrepreneurs have in common is a can-do attitude, a high tolerance for risk, the ability to multitask, and a laser-like focus on the customer and the product. They also know that success doesn't happen overnight and is really the result of careful planning and masterful execution.
We took this into account when designing the Entrepreneurship pathway. Our entrepreneurship classes are practical, hands-on, and require each student to develop a real business plan. We wrap this into a unique project-based learning curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and teamwork.
How can someone start their own business while in high school?
The first step in starting your own small business is to know what you are going to sell and to whom. Once that's clear, you'll need to determine if you need a business license and, if so, apply for one. You may also need to incorporate your business.
Then, you'll need a business plan. This requires analyzing your expenses to understand how much it will cost you to create your product or provide your service, determining the right price to charge, and developing a sales and marketing strategy.
Finally, of course, you'll need to ensure you record all income and expenses to correctly file your taxes.
Sound complicated? That's why we break it down for students in the Entrepreneurship Pathway and guide them in developing their own business plan. Plus, they can learn from their peers—several of our students are already entrepreneurs!
Do you need a college degree to become a real estate agent?
While many real estate agents have college degrees, it is not necessary! The minimum requirement is to be licensed in the state where you sell real estate, which typically means passing an exam. Check out this comprehensive guide to getting your real estate license.
Getting your license is only the first step. To be successful, you'll need fantastic marketing and people skills. Plus, real estate agents need to learn to be tech-savvy and super organized; those open houses and real estate mailings don't organize themselves!
What classes should my student take in high school if they want to have their own business someday?
Budding entrepreneurs can take classes in accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, computer literacy, and other business courses while still in high school. They can also join student clubs for aspiring business leaders, take on leadership positions in student clubs, spearhead new initiatives and fundraising campaigns, participate in business case competitions, shadow entrepreneurs, and offer to volunteer or work for an entrepreneur or local small business. There's no substitute for getting an insider's view into the world of entrepreneurship!
The Entrepreneurship Pathway is excellent preparation for a career as a small business owner or entrepreneur. Your student will take two full semesters of hands-on training in entrepreneurship, and our experienced teachers will guide them through developing their own business plans. We wrap this into a unique project-based learning curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and teamwork.
Learn more about course offerings to get your student started in their career. Explore Stride Career Prep career fields:
*Stride Career Prep is a program for grades 9–12. Some schools offer career exploration in middle school.
**Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.
***Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.
