In December, the eAcademy took two field trips in downtown Oil City and Franklin. While in Oil City, the class visited the chamber office, and we had the chance to talk to the students about how we serve our members and the business community.

The eAcademy, led by Taylor Mosher, Entrepreneurship Program Manager for the Venango County Economic Development Authority, also visited several other Chamber member businesses/organizations.

Through the eAcademy, these seniors learn about economic development, entrepreneurship, and local industry, culminating in the creation of a startup business model. Rocky Grove senior, Emily Ripple, said: “I like all the historical aspects about the trip and learning all of the different types of career choices there are.”

Business tours like this give students the opportunity to see first-hand jobs and industries in our community and practical examples of business operation and the world of work, hopefully sparking inspiration for their own business startup project and future aspirations.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s January 2022 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.