Among various forms of businesses in our society, food trucks are a notable service that provides workers an opportunity to expand their experiences in their careers. One of the minority groups that operate food truck businesses are high school students. These young entrepreneurs decide to tackle the difficulties of operating a food truck to earn benefits.
The article “How do you keep high school students engaged? San Diego Unified’s plan: Let them run a food truck” written by Kristen Taketa—an educational reporter—discusses how San Diego school districts have a growing number of students run their own food truck business. The article further includes Morse High School junior Ashley Vazquez’s input that running a food truck “opens a lot of doors for people in high school.” This benefits students with opportunities that arise from these experiences.
When establishing a business, specifically food trucks, students must go through extensive work to receive the requirements to sell food, such as a business license and/or a permit to sell food. The process these young entrepreneurs are required to follow for their food trucks is what teaches them how to be business owners. Challenges like keeping up with their business helps prepare these students for post high school life, and potentially managing their future businesses. These students can further gain various benefits from the standpoint of a food truck owner—which are essential for students to prepare for their future jobs.
Moreover, in her article “Advantages of Student Business Ownership”, April Hearne discusses how students running a business benefits their time management. For instance, students are encouraged to stay organized when it comes to school. With the responsibilities of running a business, students will be further encouraged to stay organized.
Taking on the role of a young entrepreneur is critical for students who wish to experience new skill sets. There are multiple reasons for high schoolers to run a business such as food trucks. As it provides real word experience, students can develop a wide range of skills, from marketing and customer service to financial management. Along with financial management, students can develop the skillset of adapting to a changing schedule.
The article “Why every student should start their own business,” written by Daniel Scott Mitchell states how starting a business gives students discipline. Establishing a business allows for students “to become proficient in areas that school cannot teach alone.” Handling responsibilities allows for students to experience a standpoint of business management—something that schools do not cover in their curriculum often. This subject of both business and personal management drastically helps students.
On top of gaining work experience and developing skills at a young age, it helps students financially. Ewen further explains that running a business provides opportunities for students to earn money and save it for future purposes, like college. Starting an entrepreneurial journey in high school can aid students when it comes to managing finance.
Tackling this entrepreneurial role, students will experience positive impacts on developing their skills and financial situation. By operating food trucks on campus, students gain the opportunity to gain real work experience, develop their management skills and save up money for their future.
High school students should be taught about business to help them develop essential skills such as financial literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship. Understanding business concepts can prepare students for future career opportunities and empower them to make informed decisions in their personal and professional lives. Additionally, learning about business can foster creativity, innovation, and a better understanding of the economy and market dynamics.
