mentors and guest speakers

One of the most important and influential aspects of the YEK class is the opportunity for students to learn from members of the local business community who serve as mentors and guest speakers. Schedules are flexible and the time commitment is only an hour at a time for as many or as few sessions as desired, and volunteers choose which schools they wish to visit.


Every year, each YEK class is visited by an attorney, a banker, a CPA, an insurance agent and a realtor, who share their expertise and insights into their particular industry. The students use this information as they work on their business plans, to help them create realistic, viable strategies. Many students do go on to implement their businesses at some point, so the advice and networking experience guest speakers provide can have lasting impact.


As the students work on their business plans in the spring, local business people in all fields and positions meet with small groups of 5-6 students to review their work and give suggestions or answer questions. Orientation is provided, and the time commitment is one hour a month during February, March and April. Volunteers work with the same students each visit to enable them to follow the group's progress.


To see a list of the current YEK sites, click here.


To become a mentor or guest speaker, print out and mail in the application below: