SYRACUSE -- Students at Syracuse High School dressed the part of successful business people on Thursday.
They took part in the school's Business Day, an event for students who are interested in business to meet with leaders from many fields of expertise.
"We invited business leaders from around the state to come speak to about 700 of our students in breakout sessions. It's kind of a big deal for our School of Business and Business Department," said business teacher Brett Higgins, who helped to organize the event.
Before heading off to sessions of their choice, students were greeted in the auditorium to hear opening speaker, radio personality Rod Arquette, talk about each student having talents.
"Each and every one of you has talent. The world of business needs talent," Arquette said.
He told the students that men and women communicate differently but that everyone needs to learn how to communicate.
"You can't help yourself from doing talent," Arquette said adding that people are born with talent while skills are learned. "You can't teach talent."
Arquette told the students, not to be afraid to fail, something other business people also told the students.
"I learned to keep trying. It is OK to fail but not OK to quit," student Corbin Stone said.
Student Spencer Hull said he was interested to see what Chris Vesper, from Pepsi, had to say about advertising and how to get things on the market.
"I am going to be an entrepreneur eventually," said Hull.
Vesper oversees the non-carbonated drinks Pepsi distributes. Although her degree is in accounting, she said she found that marketing beverages is a lot of fun.
"Brands are like faces. When you see a logo it is like seeing a face," said Vesper.
She told the students that there are many jobs in marketing, including those to design logos and create signs for products.
Alex Lawrence, of Funding Universe, has been launching companies for more than 20 years. He let students know how he had to work to get where he is today.
"I didn't have anyone give me money," he said.
His advice to young people: "Don't do (as a profession) what someone else wants you to do, do what you want to do."
He advised them to find something they love doing and figure out how they can make a living doing it.
"Work for me is fun," Lawrence said. "Figure out what you like and are good at."
Lawrence began his own car detailing business when he was still in high school.
"The sooner you get started the better," he said. "It is OK to fail but not OK to quit."
He said he had over 100 bad ideas that failed.
"Realize when you have something that is not going to work," he said.
Attorney and Judge Joe Bean told the students what it takes to become a lawyer, he said you become empowered by knowing the law.
Student Carlie Hoppe said she learned a lot from attending Business Day.
"I learned how to work under a person and to become friends with management, about getting a job and working in a company," Hoppe said.
"They let me know a lot about job opportunities. I learned about 3D graphics and design and about college options. It was really cool," said Ticen Monson who wore a white shirt and tie for Business Day.
"We were given a lot of insight into business," said senior Gabby Anderson, who plans to be a nurse rather than going into business.
Brynn Bennion said she learned about colleges.
Students learned motivational life skills, they learned about media, graphics and from the Small Business Administration as well as from many other people from the business world as they had 18 different sessions to choose from.
"We do this to promote our business and marketing departments as well as our school of business. Kids get a chance to get exposed to many different business areas. They hear a lot of good business stories and are given some great advice," said Higgins.
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