On August 24,2022, a group of Boys & Girls Club youth received the unique opportunity to learn what it means to be the CEO of a company. They visited PCI, Inc., D.J. Bitzan Jewelers, Rice Companies and even the Boys & Girls Club’s administrative office to learn about each of these organizations, how they began and what it takes to be an effective leader. These youth even experienced a “CEO” lunch!
Dick Bitzan of D.J. Bitzan Jewelers said this program helped the staff at D.J. Bitzan Jewelers reinforce the business’s core value to be “Responsible to the Community.”
“It really energized our team!” said Bitzan. “The kids were great. They showed a genuine interest in exploring specific roles in an organization. Their confidence and poise in what could be an intimidating situation was amazing!”
At Rice Companies, the youth learned the many steps an owner takes in constructing a building, different careers within a general contractor/real estate business and the technology used within architectural design department, including the virtual reality experience.
“Simply sharing an hour with youth to showcase your business and answer their questions is a great way to connect with the youth that you’ve supported over the years,” said Rice Companies CFO Chris Schuver. “I highly recommend community businesses get involved in Boys & Girls Club’s CareerSTART programs to engage the next generation of workers and future CEOs!”
“Through the tour of the Boys & Girls Club’s administrative office, the youth learned that the Boys & Girls Club is much larger than they ever thought,” said President/CEO Mary Swingle. The youth were introduced to the many types of careers within the organization, including IT, finance, HR, marketing, communication, facilities, cooks, fundraising and more.
“It was really fun to be able to spend the day with these amazing future business and community leaders,” continued Swingle. “They were so professional from the way they dressed, the questions they asked, how they conducted themselves at an executive lunch, to how they participated in the boardrooms of the businesses.”
Next steps for this cohort of future CEOs include participating in the Boys & Girls Club’s CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program and collaborating together to create their own business.
Thanks to Mimi, Dick & Erin Bitzan, Chris Schuver, Steve Windfeldt and many others who made this CareerSTART program possible for our youth! Businesses interested in engaging in a future CEO for a Day program should contact the Boys & Girls Club at 320-252-7616 or club@bgcmn.org.
