During the past month, one may have seen students dressed in suits and ties or skirts and heels on campus. It is highly likely that these students are enrolled in the Virtual Enterprise course offered on school.
            Virtual Enterprise provides hands on experiences; it is open to students of all grade levels. The class is comprised of students who are starting a corporation from scratch and running it themselves.
            The company customizes for one’s everyday needs. As clearly stated in the company mission statement, “you bring it we print it.”
            Each student chooses a position that interests them and is, thereby, interviewed for it. If not hired for this position, they chose another to apply for. Students, while engaging themselves in a real-life interview, are preparing for their future careers.
            As part of class protocol, each student prepares a cover letter, a resume, a job description, two recommendation letters, and an application to qualify for their desired position. The following day, students are informed of the position they have received. Prior to starting their corporation, students create a business and company name, a logo, a motto, business cards, and brochures.
            To start off, each student will be granted a virtual bank account of $100. Later, they will be receiving a payroll. In addition, they will be paying bills, living a virtual life, and running a virtual company.
            “I [want] to be at the top position and [run] a business,” Chief Financial Officer (CEO) Emin Mikaelian (’09) said.
            Hoover launched its corporation early October at their first workshop in South Pasadena High School (SPHS). Students from across the state flocked to it.
            Each school came prepared to show off their business skills as well as their immense school spirit.
 

            As of now, Hoover is the only school in the Glendale Unified School District (GUSD) to offer this class.
            Vice President of Graf X printing Derik Ziraky (’08) pointed out that he has known about this course since freshman year. “I was just waiting for this class to finally be [available],” he said.
            Students of this class live virtual lives. Unpredictable situations may occur and students are expected to pay debts out of their virtual expense accounts as well as assess and fix other financial dilemmas.
            For example, if a student does not buy car, life, or health insurance, he or she will be considered virtually bankrupt.
            Some students do not know what their majors will be, “but this class is helping me find out,” Vice President of Marketing Talin Manooki (’08) said. It is great experience on what life may be like after high school and all the expenses one might face in order to be an entrepreneur.
            “I had [an intro] to business class [before] and I really enjoy designing,” Commercial Designer Andrew Simjian (’10) said.