Over the years I’ve had countless part-time jobs, from dressing up as Franklin the Turtle while working at a children’s bookstore to a Starbucks barista (and those are the least embarrassing). Ashley Urquhart, the outreach facilitator with the Students in Business program, wants to help students; including, high school, college and university in specific, to create their own part-time jobs. Full time students from the ages of 15-34 are eligible to apply for the Students in Business program.
“This program basically helps students to start their own businesses with the support of a program,” says Urquhart. “We provide business planning assistance, financing up to a $5,000 non-interest bearing loan, mentoring and business skills training. It is designed to teach youth entrepreneurial skills while they are in school to help defeat youth out-migration in Nova Scotia.”
Previous success stories include Alana Green who started Green Choi Kawng Doi (5303 Tobin), a martial arts studio in town. Wolfville’s Andrew McLeod started Campus Bay Trading Inc., an online textbook company for Acadia University students. Since then, he owns a rental property, start CBT Promotions (an event, distribution and promotions company) and CBT Landscapting, which employs approximately 20 students in the Wolfville area.
“I would like to reach more students and get them involved,” she says. “Entrepreneurial skills can be applied to school, your job and your life in general, such as time management, keeping accurate records, etc.”For further information visit studentsinbusiness.ca
This article appears in Sep 4-10, 2008.