Michele Clark Graduating Seniors Earn Dual Business Credit

For two graduating seniors at Michele Clark High School, taking a dual enrollment business class was a great decision, they said.

Classmates and friends, Jermesha Jackson, 18, and Felicity Williams, 17, participated in the program through Malcolm X College. The CPS Dual Enrollment Program allows high-school juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses at one of the seven City Colleges. Students can enroll in one college course per semester.

“The business class kind of opened our minds to new things,” said Felicity.

She will attend Benedict College in South Carolina on a full tuition scholarship to major in biology before pursuing a career as a neonatal nurse. Having the business background was something she said she saw as beneficial.

“It helped us to understand a lot of things about the real world when it comes to financial issues and how to create your own successful business,” Felicity said.

Jermesha said that the class taught her about global businesses and how companies run.

“All of this can help us when we’re thinking about doing our own business,” she said.

Although she also plans to work in the medical field as a pediatrician, Jermesha said that the business background could potentially help her in the future.

“I could have my own business like a pediatric clinic or daycare, so this class was really valuable because it taught me how to run a business,” she said, adding that she’s also learned to be more organized.

“We learned how to start up a business and what you need for your start-up cost,” said Jermesha. “We’re getting this class for free. By the time we get out of college, we can already have a successful business running.”

Felicity said she learned a lot from the business class. Her biggest takeaway was how to network.

“In the beginning, it’s kind of tough because you’re not used to it, but remember that eventually you’ll be in college taking more than one college class,” said Felicity. “Taking it while in high school really prepares you a lot.”

Their teacher, Yolanda Tucker, said that this is her first year teaching the two part course and that the seniors are “really into it.”

“They’re able to leave with college credit towards a business degree when they go to college,” said Tucker. “They’re getting the experience that most freshmen aren’t going to have when they go to college.”

“This dual class gives them background information on a global level so now they’re able to see how businesses really work,” she said. “It’s almost like pulling down the sheet and now you can see what’s behind it–the foundation of that business.”

To learn more about the dual enrollment program visit Early College Programs for High School Students.

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