Although much of the nation's attention in May was drawn to Brood X cicadas as they emerged, shrilly heralding their arrival from their 17-year growth cycle, there was no less hoopla and noise created to celebrate the arrival of another brood of 17-year olds coming of age.
Like genus Magicada shedding their shells, millions of American high-school graduates cast off their caps and gowns with great shouts of joy and emerged to take their places in the challenging cycles of life. Some headed for the ivy-covered halls of higher learning, others flew off to test their wings and find their fortunes.
Instead of reproducing and going into hibernation, this generation will seek its way in a world that today offers greater opportunity across a broad spectrum of life's cycles, especially the opportunity to give birth to one's own business.
It may be premature to label the Class of 2004 as "Brood E," but if the plans of the NFIB Education Foundation take hold — to encourage young people to consider careers in small business — the ranks of America's entrepreneurs could increase and flourish as never before.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, two-thirds of college students intend to be entrepreneurs at some point in their careers. Those with more education, the government agency says, are more likely to become entrepreneurs, and they are more likely to open a business that creates jobs. However, the information shared in business schools focuses more attention on large firms than small ones, which frustrates and hinders those seeking to learn more about basic entrepreneurship.
More focused small-business education and nurturing of fledgling entrepreneurs are keys to providing the necessary skills that will allow tomorrow's business owners to give flight to their visions of the American dream.
That's why the NFIB Education Foundation launched its Free Enterprise Scholars Awards program in 2003. The program sets future small-business owners on the path to entrepreneurship by awarding $1,000 scholarships to high-school seniors who demonstrate a keen interest in learning how to start their own firms and are headed to institutes of higher learning in search of the "how to."
In just two years, the Education Foundation has more than doubled the number of scholarships given. This spring, the Foundation gave a head start to 221 students across the country — the next generation of small-business owners and entrepreneurs.
Not only is the Foundation striving to promote free enterprise as a career path for young people, it has created programs to recognize teachers and other mentors for their efforts in helping students experience the benefits of entrepreneurship. With support from NFIB members, small-business owners and others interested in strengthening our country's commitment to teaching the values of free enterprise and entrepreneurship, the Education Foundation is feeding and nurturing Brood E and those who follow, playing a key role in the economic life cycle of our nation.
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Jack Faris is President and Chief Executive Officer of The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation's largest small-business advocacy group. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1943, NFIB represents the
consensus views of its 600,000 members in Washington and all 50 state
capitals.
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