1. Certifications

Students in the Academy will have exposure to current technology with the opportunity to certify in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, QuickBooks, and many more certifications. Certifications grants recognition of competency, shows commitment to the profession, and helps with job advancement.

2. Cohorts

The Academy of Business and Finance accepts approximately 50-60 students per year. Because of this, the cohort spends a large portion of their time together. Students are able to build genuine, long-lasting friendships along with personal bonds. This allows students to create a strong community and a defined environment for their experience. These bonds also help students to develop their leadership, learn team work skills and build a pool of resources. These skills and friendships will help students succeed in the work place.

3. College Visits

Students have the opportunity to experience college campus tours. College tours allow students to ask questions, meet other prospective students and understand the college on a deeper level. How you feel about schools once you visit in person may affect the direction your college search and application process takes.

4. Team Building Field Trips

Students in the Academy will have the opportunity to attend field trips dedicated to enhancing leadership and team building skills with their cohort. Field trips include activities such as rope courses, escape rooms, ninja warrior courses, rock climbing, and theme parks.

5. Community Leader Presentations

Students will have the advantage of listening to community leaders and guest speakers through their Business CTE classes. For the students, the speakers serve as great role models, and the students can imagine themselves in such positions in the not-so-distant future. There's also the chance that one of the speakers might pique their interest in a particular industry or company.

6. Competitions

Students will get to participate in various competitions including the JA Business Blastoff Challenge where they can compete in a similar "Shark Tank" competition. No other Brevard program captures the entrepreneurial spirit more than the JA Business Blastoff Challenge. The Challenge awards teams of young entrepreneurial Brevard high school students with FIT scholarships, media interviews in Florida Today and Space Coast Business magazine, cash prizes and the opportunity to work with some of Brevard’s premiere business and community leaders.

7. Summer Internships

Academy Juniors will interview for the chance to obtain a paid summer internship. Those not wanting or needing the internship will be able to have a mock interview with community leaders. Students will prepare their resumes, cover letters, and portfolios in class to assist with the mock interviews.

8. Portfolio Building

Each year, students will build and amplify their online portfolio to include their resume, cover letter, letters of recommendation, certifications, personal brand, and much more. Their portfolio will help them in their entry level job and their college applications.  

9. Workshops

Students will experience different workshops in the academy such as a life skills, interview skills, mock interviews, and more. These opportunities will allow the academy students to be ahead of the curve when it comes to many aspects of their lives. The experiences and learning environment of these workshops will allow them to be successful in their future!