Minnetonka Senior Learning Real-World Business Skills

Cara Schrader’s homework consists of Skyping with the chairman of Vera Bradley and making a presentation to executives at General Mills. 

Schrader is one of about 40 Minnetonka High School students participating in the school’s VANTAGE Advanced Professional Studies program.  VANTAGE offers MHS juniors and seniors real-world experiences in corporate settings.

Each student is assigned to a project team of 4 to 5 students.  Schrader’s team is working on a project for General Mills. 

“We’ve been researching how teenagers use their cell phones to help General Mills develop a strategy to increase brand loyalty through a mobile platform,” Schrader explained.

The team recently presented their research at the General Mills headquarters. “We were all a little nervous, but more excited really,” she said. “We basically gave them a guide on how to create a successful social media presence.”

VANTAGE program director Chris Pears describes Schrader as a disciplined, motivated student.  “Cara has proven to be an outstanding collaborative team member,” Pears said. 

Each team is guided by project leader.  MHS teacher Erik Sill led the General Mills project. 

“My role is to facilitate the relationship between the students and the company,” said Sill.  “It was evident the project team added value to the corporate strategies being used.”

In addition to her work for General Mills, Schrader is also devising a business plan for a new company.  “My partner and I are creating a business to help parents who are relocated due to a job transfer,” she said.  Schrader is familiar with some of the challenges of relocating.  Her family moved to Minnesota from Kansas when she was in middle school.

“Our company will help children transition to a new school and new environment,” she explained.  They have dubbed their company Abroad Journey Connection.

“In doing the business plan, we learned what is really required to start up your own business,” she said. “Finding a plan that doesn’t just sound good but also makes financial sense has been one of our biggest challenges.”

Student work is assessed by others in the VANTAGE program.   “We are simulating the type of evaluation one might encounter working in industry,” said Sill.  “Students are evaluated by their project sponsor, business mentor, teacher, and other students on their team.  The goal is for students to have a clear understanding of their strengths, but also be aware of their areas of growth.”

In addition to projects and business plans, students attend lectures by guest instructors. VANTAGE guest instructors include local entrepreneurs as well as professionals from corporate giants such as Best Buy, Cargill, Proctor & Gamble, and Wells Fargo.

“Their initial reaction is ‘Wow, I didn’t have an experience like this until I had an internship!’” said Sill.  “Business professionals are impressed with our students’ professionalism and quality of work.”

After spending part of the school day at VANTAGE, Schrader heads for class at MHS.  She takes statistics and Spanish. 

Her favorite high school class is IB Language and Literature.  “It wasn’t a typical lit class,” said Schrader. “We studied a variety of works, including comic books.  Ms. Saunders is an amazing teacher with a personable style.”

Schrader is an avid reader.  Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings series are personal favorites.  She occasionally reads business news as well.   “My dad has a subscription to the The Wall Street Journal so there are always articles lying around the house,” she said.  “Also, Mr. Pears gives us copies of The Economist.”

Schrader has landed on the honor roll every semester at MHS and is a member of the National Honor Society.  As a senior, her advice to younger students is:  “Work hard your freshman year.  Many of my friends regret not taking academics seriously that first year.”

When she isn’t studying, Schrader volunteers for Tonka Leadership Challenge.  “I talk to sixth graders about making healthy choices and staying away from drugs,” she said.

In her free time, she enjoys listening to music (Imagine Dragons is her favorite band) and hanging out with her Bernese mountain dog, Roxy.

During winter break she will also spend time working on her business plan in preparation for a business competition inspired by the television show, “Shark Tank.” This will feature VANTAGE students presenting their business plans to a panel of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.

A winter highlight for Schrader will be a trip the University of South Carolina in January.  She has been accepted to the college, which is ranked number one in undergraduate international business by U.S. News & World Report. 

The possibility of moving south is inviting.  “I hate winter,” she said.

Fluent in French and learning Spanish, Schrader plans to major in international business.  

And after college?

“I’d like to work for a big company that allows me to travel abroad.”