If you want to prepare yourself for making a mark in the fast-evolving business world, then you need to start participating in business-related extracurricular activities right from high school to build an edge. There’s a plethora of opportunities available today, and many of these activities bolster practical skills in business management and entrepreneurship, and also help you significantly improve your soft skills like leadership, teamwork, and communication. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, your involvement in extracurricular activities can play a pivotal role in the college admission process, as these activities reflect your commitment and potential to contribute to a vibrant campus life.

While there are quite literally hundreds of opportunities out there, our blog today gives you a few examples of various engaging business extracurriculars that could pave the way for a robust college application and a promising career in business:

1. Join an established business club

Joining an established business club like DECA or Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is an excellent way for you to gain substantive insights into the business world. These organizations are reputed business clubs with international membership and offer a multitude of resources including workshops, competitive events, and networking opportunities with business professionals. DECA specializes in areas such as marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. It provides a platform for students to engage in simulations that replicate real business challenges, enhancing their analytical and problem-solving skills. Similarly, FBLA focuses on building robust business leadership qualities among students through activities like public speaking, business strategy competitions, and job interview simulations. Participation in these clubs not only bolsters your resume but also builds invaluable skills that are essential for future business careers.

• Difficulty level: Moderate, depends on the intensity of your participation. While being a member is easy, the more involved you are and the more you utilize the leadership opportunities on offer, the better for your profile.

• Location: Available in many high schools across the nation.

• Resources/experience required: None – these clubs provide all the necessary materials and guidance to build your skills to participate in their events.

2. Start a mini enterprise

Creating a mini enterprise teaches you the essentials of running a business by providing you the real, moment-to-moment experience of conceptualizing, planning, funding, and managing a small business venture. The enterprise doesn’t even need to be grand – you could do anything from starting a pop-up store at school events, to a small online retail website, or a service-based business like event photography. Through this hands-on experience, you will learn critical aspects of business management including budgeting, marketing, customer service, and strategic decision-making. The real-world challenges you’ll face in your endeavor, such as managing costs, understanding consumer behavior, and adapting to market conditions, will provide practical business education that no textbook can offer. You could consider startup incubators such as the Young Founders Lab!

• Difficulty level: High

• Location: School or local community

• Resources/experience required: Initial capital which can be raised through crowdfunding or small investments, mentorship from business educators or local entrepreneurs

3. Participate in stock market simulation games

Engaging in stock market simulation games like The Stock Market Game offers you a practical and risk-free method to learn about financial markets. These simulations provide a dynamic environment where you can practice trading stocks using virtual currency, which helps you understand investment strategies and the impact of market forces on stock prices. You get to monitor real-time data, make buying or selling decisions based on market trends, and learn to manage a diversified portfolio. These activities not only enhance financial literacy but also develop critical thinking and decision-making skills in a competitive and fun setting.

• Difficulty level: Moderate to High

• Location: Online, accessible from anywhere

• Resources/experience required: Access to a computer or mobile device; basic economic and financial knowledge is helpful but not required as many simulations provide educational resources.

4. Engage in business competitions

Participating in business competitions such as the National Business Plan Competition or the Hult Prize can be a transformative experience for your journey in business education. These competitions challenge you to develop innovative solutions to real-world business problems, requiring you to think critically and creatively. In many such competitions, you need to work in teams to create business plans, which they then pitch to a panel of judges, mimicking the process entrepreneurs go through when seeking investors. All this makes them excellent for developing presentation skills, gaining feedback from established professionals in the field, and understanding the practical aspects of business planning and execution.

• Difficulty level: Medium to high, there are competitions catering to several different skill levels

• Location: Various locations, often at major universities or online platforms

• Resources/experience required: Strong understanding of business concepts; access to research tools; guidance from teachers or mentors is advantageous. While some competitions provide a strong library of resources, you will still benefit from having basic business knowledge.

5. Intern at a local business

Interning at a local business provides a firsthand look at daily business operations and teaches practical skills that are crucial in the business world. You can find internship opportunities at small businesses, startups, or local branches of larger corporations, and there are several internship programs that can help you secure one as well (such as Ladder Internships). Through these experiences, you will gain insight into professional work environments, learn about industry-specific practices, and develop professional networks by interacting with experienced professionals and other interns. Tasks might include assisting with marketing campaigns, participating in meetings, managing small projects, or supporting administrative duties.

• Difficulty level: Moderate to intense, depending on the kind of firm you intern at and the responsibilities they’re willing to grant you

• Location: Local businesses or corporations

• Resources/experience required: A well-prepared resume and cover letter; some positions may require basic knowledge of the industry.

6. Volunteer for non-profit organizations

Similar to internships, volunteering for a non-profit organization allows you to explore the intersection of business and social impact. By assisting with operations, fundraising, and marketing efforts, you’ll gain a broad understanding of how non-profits function and the importance of strategic planning in achieving social goals. This experience is invaluable for developing organizational skills, learning about grant writing, and participating in community engagement initiatives. It’s also an excellent opportunity for you to apply business skills in real-world scenarios while making a positive impact on their communities.

• Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate

• Location: Local non-profits or online if working on digital projects

• Resources/experience required: None; training is usually provided on the job.

7. Create a business blog or podcast

Starting a business blog or podcast can be an excellent way to more deeply understand topics of interest in the business world while developing your communication skills, and even your personal brand. By researching and discussing trends, interviewing business professionals, or analyzing case studies, you can build a professional online presence that will add significantly to your profile when it comes to college and job applications. This project requires regular content creation, audience engagement through social media and other platforms, and potentially, the management of a small digital marketing campaign to grow the audience.

• Difficulty level: Moderate

• Location: Online

• Resources/experience required: Access to a computer and internet; basic technical skills for content creation and editing; initial setup may require some investment in recording equipment for podcasts.

8. Organize business workshops or speaker series

Organizing workshops or a speaker series at school or within the community is a great way for you to take initiative and showcase leadership skills. This activity involves planning events, coordinating with speakers who are established professionals in the business field, and managing logistics from marketing the event to handling the day-of details. You’ll learn valuable skills in event planning, public relations, and community building, while also enriching your school or local community with valuable learning opportunities.

• Difficulty level: Moderate to hard, depending on where you live, the events you’re organizing and whom you reach out to

• Location: School, community centers, or online platforms

• Resources/experience required: Strong organizational skills; some connections in the business community for sourcing speakers; basic marketing and promotional skills.

Engaging in these business extracurriculars not only enhances your high school experience but also builds a strong foundation for your future career. Whether you’re starting a business club, participating in competitions, or running your own enterprise, these activities provide valuable skills and experiences that give you real business experience and make your college application stand out.

If you’re looking for an incubator program that helps you establish a developed startup in high school, consider the Young Founders Lab! 

The Young Founders Lab is a real-world start-up bootcamp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. 

You can access the application link here!