WCC GTM 2016
Washtenaw Community College is hosting the Third Annual
for area high school students.
Click here to visit 2016 student photos, speaker presentations, and resource links
Location:
Washtenaw Community College
4800 East Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor MI 48105
Business Education
Room: BE260, Floor: 2nd Floor
Looking forward to seeing you May 5, 6 and 7, 2016
Each year high school students in southeast Michigan engage in an intensive, three-day, hands-on virtual learning experience that simulates an entrepreneurial and business international trade mission. Through this extraordinary opportunity, awareness is created around exciting careers in entrepreneurial and international business in high-tech industries; many in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. Watch this clip to see how it works.
The program is designed to immerse students in an authentic business and entrepreneurial experience that reflects the processes of companies engaged in global and diverse trade. At the event, approximately 150 students from high schools area work in cross-district teams to respond to trade challenges developed in collaboration with area companies and highlighting emerging industry sectors in Southeast Michigan. To learn about how the program started and see a sample program, visit http://www.myglobeislocal.org/
Dates & Times for 2016:
Thursday, May 5, from 7:30 am - 2:30 pm
Friday, May 6, from 7:30 am - 2:30 pm
Saturday, May 7, from 7:30 am - 2:30 pm
Location:
Washtenaw Community College
4800 East Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor MI 48105
Business Education
Room: BE260, Floor: 2nd Floor
Background
Since 1998, "Oakland Schools" Global Trade Mission (GTM) has provided more than 3,100 high-school students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s dynamic world economy. GTM is an intensive, three-day, hands-on virtual learning experience that simulates an international trade mission. Through this extraordinary opportunity, awareness is being created among students about exciting careers in international business and in the following high-tech industries, emerging technologies and disciplines with the most promising future growth potential overseas. They include:
Clean Technology and Renewable Energy
Defense and Homeland Security
IT (Information Technology) & Cyber Security
Life Sciences and Medical Devices
Robotics and Automation
With collaboration from business, education, and government, working in cross-functional and cross-district teams of four (with dedicated business experts and coaches to guide them along the way), students are presented with a real-world case study on how to best market and sell a U.S. company’s product, service, or technology overseas based on the opportunities, challenges and unique characteristics of doing business in a particular country.
Numerous decision-making factors come into play which compels students to think critically and learn how to quickly adapt to rapidly changing circumstances in the international marketplace. They include: local market demand; consumer tastes and cultural preferences; modes of entry and trade barriers; cost and quality; protection of intellectual property; trade finance; supply chain management; and legal considerations. Students will develop international business plans and strategies on how to overcome these common hurdles which companies typically face on a daily basis. At the conclusion of the three-day event, each student team will present their findings to a panel of business executives who will judge them on content, quality, originality and feasibility of their business proposals.
The overall mission of GTM is to create a pipeline of qualified young professionals whom are adept at problem solving which local companies can draw on in the future to enhance Michigan’s overall global competitiveness. It also aims to stimulate a spirit of entrepreneurship as Michigan’s economy shifts to higher-value added technologies while ensuring that our economy remains at the forefront of innovation.