My week at PFEW changed my view on myself, my skill set, and my ability to build relationships. On the surface, PFEW is a tool to help students like myself learn more about entrepreneurship, business, marketing, and general economics. I learned how to create a product, create advertisement, deliver a pitch, and virtually run a business. I learned valuable public speaking and problem solving skills through the ethics debate, and I learned how to think quickly and critically during Junk Night. In addition to these invaluable skills, I learned how to collaborate with others. How to not only be a strong leader, but also a hard worker. I learned how to work with people that I might not agree with, I learned how to solve issues and disagreements in a professional manner. I was also prepared for what college life would be like. Living with a dorm mate, enjoying freedom while also knowing when to utilize my time for my work. PFEW set me apart from my peers and prepared for my next steps in college and my future career in ways I would have never been able to experience anywhere else.
Alyssa Vasyanovich - PFEW 2024 Graduate and Student Ambassador
Ephrata SHS - Lancaster County
Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week was an experience like no other. While creating a company through two groups of finance and marketing, my group was able to accomplish and involve ourselves in what an actual business does each day. However, it is so much more than a business camp. There were multiple free times to be with friends and work separately on the projects. A dance, open swim, and volleyball in the quad were some of many of the activities the students became excited for. Overall, friendship was one of the largest things I got out of my experience. Even though many of my group members live on the other side of the state, I am still connected to them and constantly go back to videos and pictures now that they are memories. If I could go to Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week every summer, I would take every opportunity to do so. That experience was something I will never see again and I am grateful to have the opportunity to share this with others.
Lauren Ward- PFEW 2024 Graduate and Student Ambassador
Bishop Shanahan HS - Chester County
In-depth... That is how I can describe the program that PFEW. It is detailed and serious but also fun and relaxing. To get that taste of business and that taste of college living is an opportunity many do not get and that I am so thankful I do. PFEW is an amazing opportunity for high school kids in Pennsylvania and I would highly recommend and encourage the sponsors to keep sponsoring in any way.
Natalie Kukovich - PFEW 2024 Graduate and Student Ambassador
Chartiers-Houston HS - Washington County
I absolutely loved my experience. It was an amazing opportunity and I will be forever grateful to them for allowing me to experience it. It guided me to become a creative and innovative person and to not give up. It taught me a lot of leadership skills and pushed me out of my comfort zone to become the best person I could be. Thank you so much for sponsoring me and making me able to experience such a thrilling and inspiring program.
Sai Sri Sowgandika Ramadugu - PFEW 2024 Graduate and Student Ambassador
North Allegheny SHS - Allegheny County
I would describe my experience as life-changing. Throughout my time at PFEW, I learned about business and how to run a company but I took away so much more than just that. I took away amazing leadership skills, networking skills, as well as how to collaborate with colleagues and peers effectively. PFEW isn't just a program that teaches eager students about business, it is a program that forms successful, determined, leaders. One week truly changed my life.
Katelyn Orkin- PFEW 2024 Graduate and Student Ambassador
Henderson HS - Chester County
My week at PFEW changed my view on myself, my skill set, and my ability to build relationships. On the surface, PFEW is a tool to help students like myself learn more about entrepreneurship, business, marketing, and general economics. I learned how to create a product, create advertisement, deliver a pitch, and virtually run a business. I learned valuable public speaking and problem solving skills through the ethics debate, and I learned how to think quickly and critically during Junk Night. In addition to these invaluable skills, I learned how to collaborate with others. How to not only be a strong leader, but also a hard worker. I learned how to work with people that I might not agree with, I learned how to solve issues and disagreements in a professional manner. I was also prepared for what college life would be like. Living with a dorm mate, enjoying freedom while also knowing when to utilize my time for my work. PFEW set me apart from my peers and prepared for my next steps in college and my future career in ways I would have never been able to experience anywhere else.
Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week was an experience like no other. While creating a company through two groups of finance and marketing, my group was able to accomplish and involve ourselves in what an actual business does each day. However, it is so much more than a business camp. There were multiple free times to be with friends and work separately on the projects. A dance, open swim, and volleyball in the quad were some of many of the activities the students became excited for. Overall, friendship was one of the largest things I got out of my experience. Even though many of my group members live on the other side of the state, I am still connected to them and constantly go back to videos and pictures now that they are memories. If I could go to Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week every summer, I would take every opportunity to do so. That experience was something I will never see again and I am grateful to have the opportunity to share this with others.
In-depth... That is how I can describe the program that PFEW. It is detailed and serious but also fun and relaxing. To get that taste of business and that taste of college living is an opportunity many do not get and that I am so thankful I do. PFEW is an amazing opportunity for high school kids in Pennsylvania and I would highly recommend and encourage the sponsors to keep sponsoring in any way.
I absolutely loved my experience. It was an amazing opportunity and I will be forever grateful to them for allowing me to experience it. It guided me to become a creative and innovative person and to not give up. It taught me a lot of leadership skills and pushed me out of my comfort zone to become the best person I could be. Thank you so much for sponsoring me and making me able to experience such a thrilling and inspiring program.
I would describe my experience as life-changing. Throughout my time at PFEW, I learned about business and how to run a company but I took away so much more than just that. I took away amazing leadership skills, networking skills, as well as how to collaborate with colleagues and peers effectively. PFEW isn't just a program that teaches eager students about business, it is a program that forms successful, determined, leaders. One week truly changed my life.
