College Dean Visits Virtual Enterprise Classes

Dr. Christopher A. Bates visited with Virtual Enterprise program Huntington High School students last week, providing them with expert feedback on their company presentations as they prepare for a regional qualifier this week.

Dean at Long Island University’s School of Business, Mr. Bates had a seat on the New York Stock Exchange for 24 years. He retired from Goldman Sachs as its managing director. He’s a former business advisory board member at The Citadel military college in South Carolina.

The New York State/New England regional trade show and business plan competition typically draws more than 100 schools and 150 firms with more than 2,300 students participating.

They will compete in various live competitions involving sales pitch and booth design, written competitions for company website, newsletter and sales material, and a business plan presentation all in the hope to move one step closer to qualifying for nationals.

Mr. Bates met with executives from Huntington’s Xtinguish and Embrace Virtual Enterprise companies. He shared with students his thoughts on public speaking, presentations of all kinds and how to showcase their strengths.

Virtual Enterprise is a full-year, one credit honors business class. “Virtual Enterprise is a simulated business that is set up and run by students to prepare them for working in a real business environment,” according to the course bulletin.