Middle school is one of the most formative periods for developing the habits, skills, and self-awareness that shape how students engage with the world. Leadership activities during these years provide a structured way to develop critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and collaborative skills before you start high school. Rather than simply learning about leadership, you can practice it by organizing a school fundraiser, leading a small-group project, mentoring younger s

If you’re interested in marketing and want to get better at this skill early, marketing competitions for high school students are an excellent way to start. Marketing competitions involve tasks like building a campaign, studying consumer behavior, and deciding how to position a product or idea. You may work with data, create messaging, and present your approach within a fixed format. The focus is on how clearly you can think and communicate.

If you’re interested in business, you might be looking for ways to explore the field beyond what is typically covered in high school classes. Structured programs can introduce you to areas like entrepreneurship, finance, economics, marketing, and business strategy while helping you build analytical, communication, and leadership skills. They also provide opportunities to study how businesses operate across industries such as technology, healthcare, sustainability, and media.

If you’re interested in economics, participating in an in-person program can help you explore how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions in a world of limited resources. These opportunities introduce you to topics such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, public policy, finance, and data analysis while helping you develop quantitative, analytical, and critical thinking skills. They also provide the chance to learn in a collaborative environment alongside instru

If you’re interested in economics, participating in a structured program can help you explore how markets, governments, businesses, and individuals make decisions. These opportunities introduce you to topics such as international trade, public policy, finance, entrepreneurship, and economic research while helping you develop analytical, quantitative, and critical thinking skills. They also provide a deeper understanding of how economic concepts shape societies and influence g

If you’re interested in business, participating in a structured program can help you explore how organizations make decisions, manage resources, and respond to changing markets. These opportunities introduce you to areas such as entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, marketing, and strategy while helping you develop analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills. They also provide a closer look at the different academic and career pathways available within business.

Summer programs can be a great way to explore your interests, build new skills, and learn in a setting outside your regular school environment. These opportunities cover a wide range of fields, including STEM, research, entrepreneurship, outdoor education, visual arts, environmental science, and leadership development. They also allow you to connect with mentors and peers while gaining exposure to subjects and activities that may not be available during the school year.

If you’re a high school student interested in business, entrepreneurship, finance, or economics, attending a pre-college program can help you explore these fields before starting college. Business pre-college programs give you the opportunity to study advanced topics beyond a typical high school curriculum while learning from university faculty, industry professionals, and experienced mentors. Many programs also include hands-on projects, case studies, startup simulations, an

If you’re interested in business management, you might be looking for ways to explore how companies, markets, and organizations operate beyond what you learn in school. Structured programs can introduce you to subjects like entrepreneurship, finance, economics, marketing, and operations while helping you build skills in analysis, communication, and decision-making. They also provide exposure to university-style learning environments and collaborative academic work.

This blog explains how business & leadership programs like Bossgirls boost college applications with skills in leadership & teamwork.