Little City, Big Lessons

CSCC students help at BizTown

A group of Columbus State students found themselves walking through a miniature city, teaching big life lessons.

Students from several classes helped out with BizTown, a program that teaches K-12 students about business and personal finance. BizTown is a miniature city inside a warehouse in Hilliard. Students go there to operate mock businesses and a pretend city government.

“(Columbus State students) are kind of like an adult mentor for each shop,” said Charla Fraley, a Business Management instructor who advised the students. Columbus State sent volunteers on Feb. 20 and 29, and plans to return on June 6.

Fraley had the idea to help out with BizTown after one of her children attended the program. She got a grant from the Columbus State Development Foundation to sponsor a school and rounded up volunteers. Most volunteers came from her BMGT 101 class.

The businesses in BizTown are remarkably detailed. Children take out a loan from the bank at the beginning of the day, then use it to finance their businesses. The town elects a mayor and city government, and each business has its own leadership.

At the Delivery Center, Columbus State student Samuel Trout was advising the CEO and CFO on prices. Trout, who plans to transfer to Ohio University, said the experience is a great resume-builder.

It was also fun to play with business concepts he learned in class, Trout said. “We all get to work and play in business, but when do we get to do it when you can’t make any mistakes?”

Randolph Nelson, another Columbus State student, helped children in the newspaper sell advertisements and cover the news. He gave advice on time management and meeting deadlines.

“I wish they had this when I was growing up,” Nelson said.

The Feb. 29 session had 96 children in grades 4 and 5. A grant from the Columbus State Foundation allowed the kids to attend BizTown. Columbus State sent 11 mentors—not that the kids needed much help.

“It’s scary how smart they are,” Trout said.

BizTown is a service of Junior Achievement, a nationwide program that teaches K-12 students about business, economics and personal finance