Career Academy South Bend (CASB) is dedicated to preparing students for both college and technical trades, recognizing that not every student will pursue higher education. This vision led to the creation of the Career Academy Student Enterprise Corporation (CASEC) program – designed to operate as a business and provide hands-on experiences for the various industries of the real world.
“The program started out of the idea to give students experience starting and running a business and gaining job experience while in high school,” said Justin Baney, Student Enterprise Business Coach of Career Academy Network of Public Schools. “This is a free space for these students to make mistakes. We are going to move past it and use that as an opportunity to grow.”
This academic year, CASEC launched as a student-run enterprise focused on manufacturing and tech repair services, preparing students for the real world. Students use state-of-the-art tools, including the only high school with a Markforged Metal X 3D printer in the country, to engage in additive and subtractive manufacturing. Resources like The Future Lab at Portage School of Leaders provide advanced machinery and pathways to trade fields, helping students earn certifications and access competitive careers.
“We have not even advertised yet, and the in-house jobs we have completed have been amazing,” said Baney. “Our standout project involved the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where we helped print a part for testing sound on an exposed propeller. Initially, they wanted aluminum, but we proposed using our printer that creates carbon fiber inlay with onyx, which is stronger and lighter. After a 15-hour print, the part passed all the vibration tests. This experience showed our team that we’re part of something much bigger than just making products; we’re contributing to significant advancements.”
The program’s executive team includes two chief operating officers (COOs), a chief financial officer (CFO), and a chief marketing officer (CMO), with the coach serving as an interim CEO to guide students in understanding their roles. This structured approach helps students learn about leadership while managing their classes and business growth. Currently, there are 12 student employees in manufacturing and two in the tech division.
“My people skills are pretty good, but I think my biggest communication problem is relaying information,” said Senior Isaac Nelson. “Now that I have to do that, communicating with people who are in high positions and professional fields has been interesting. I am getting an opportunity that a lot of students don’t get, and it’s been fun.”
CASEC’s two student-run businesses focus on projects that foster leadership skills. One significant project involved creating large walls to simulate trenches for the South Bend Civic Theatre’s recent World War I production. For the tech repair service – Effective Repairs – students are trained to repair Dell laptops.
“As the COO of Effective Repairs, I oversee our tech repair service partnered with Dell,” said Junior Rebecca Anderson. “We handle broken laptops from students by placing work orders, receiving parts, and completing repairs for our school's tech department. Certification for this role involves online tests, focusing on skills like motherboard repairs and BIOS updates. This unique opportunity in high school is rare, but my advice for incoming students is to communicate effectively and not fear failure.”
CASEC prioritizes projects that develop students' communication and time management skills. Through hands-on experiences, students engage with diverse employers, opening doors to work-based learning opportunities in fields they may not have previously considered.
“Before this, I had no experience in woodworking at all,” said Junior James Zinn-Steinbeck. “Now I’m a trained woodworker on every machine we have in our wood shop. I have learned every single 3D printer we have. I have received all this training and soon will get a couple of certifications that will push me further into the workforce.”
Across all its projects, CASEC is focusing on developing soft skills, particularly in communication with adults. Activities aimed at building confidence, such as shaking hands and making eye contact, are essential for demonstrating fundamental skills like entering a room properly and discussing business matters.
“I think improving my communication skills is crucial, as I've realized how little I interact with others,” said Junior Esteban Crespo-Lorenzo. “During meetings, I understand my tasks and deadlines, but completing the job can be challenging without asking for help. I need to admit when I don't know how to do something, like quoting, and I'm working on enhancing my communication with customers and my team. This skill is essential for my development in the workforce."
As the CASEC program is expected to grow in the coming years, students and moderators hope to consolidate the used facilities into one location. For Dell repair, CASEC’s mission is to expand services to fix students’ cell phones and AirPods. While the CASEC program currently serves juniors and seniors, a more streamlined program is anticipated in the future.
“As a junior, it helps to see that first-year progress,” said Zinn-Steinbeck. “We have made failures. We have lost money and gained money. We’ve gained customers and lost some. We’re learning, and this first year teaches us that these things are going to happen. We are going to fail, but failure is the greatest way to success.”
For more information about the CASEC program, visit careeracademysb.com.