Inaugural Business Day Event Draws High School Students from Two Cape May County Schools to the College’s Cape May Campus

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — Each day, our lives are made up of several business classes rolled into 24 hours of questions, deliberations, choices and decisions. From balancing our bank account (accounting) and making plans (administration) to purchasing items (economics) and having personal conversations (marketing/advertising), the world of business plays an active role in all that we do.

Atlantic Cape Community College’s Cape May County campus hosted its first Business Day event on April 4 that included nearly 50 students from Lower Cape May Regional and Middle Township high schools who attended workshops aimed at introducing them to various business career pathways.

Associate Professor of Business Dr. Karl Giulian stressed how important it is for all students, no matter their chosen academic pathway, to learn about the importance of business.

“I always tell my students that no matter what you want to do in life you are going to be set in a business. Whether you are an artist, an engineer, doctor or a restaurant owner, it’s a business setting,” said Dr. Giulian. “Anytime a student can take business classes or major in business, I think it’s an absolute plus. If a student says they aren’t sure what they want to do, I would stress to put them in business because a little bit of marketing, management, accounting and more will always help them in whatever career path they take.”

Keynote speaker Brady Schoenrock, chief operating officer of Maypoint Hospitality, LLC. and managing partner of Harpoons on the Bay restaurant in North Cape May, grew up in the restaurant industry while working at his family’s Italian restaurant, Tonelli’s Little River Inn in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Prior to returning to the restaurant industry, Schoenrock spent 17 years in law enforcement, security, safety, training and quality assurance consulting.

Schoenrock spoke of his love for skiing growing up, not knowing what he wanted to do for a career and then attending college, where he changed majors four times before graduating. But, most importantly, he offered words of advice to the students.

“You have to follow your passion. If there is something in life you love, find a way to harness it and do something with it. If you love animals find a way to make that part of your life’s work. You have to find a way to incorporate your true passion into what you do on a daily basis. Be happy in your life. Do what makes you happy.

“And, take full advantage of the good times with your friends because it goes by fast. If not, you are going to wish that you had. Lastly, you have to look out for yourself. If you go to college and whether you get a two-year degree, a four-year degree or master’s degree, that’s something no one can ever take from you. Once you have earned it, it is yours. It’s something you can be proud of the rest of your life.”

Students then chose workshop information sessions on topics, such as real estate, landscaping, craft brewing, the restaurant business and how high school girls may develop strong leadership skills and take control of their future.

While some students wanted a day out of the classroom, many in attendance were interested in Atlantic Cape’s business degree and certificate programs, the Cape May County campus itself or learning about options available to them after high school.

Atlantic Cape’s Early College Program partners with local high schools to provide students with the opportunity to earn college credit while enrolled in high school through options including dual credit, concurrent courses, articulated credit and associate pathways, which allow the student to earn college credits while shortening the time and cost it takes to earn an associate’s degree. Visit atlanticcape.edu/earlycollege to learn more.

Visit atlanticcape.edu/pathways to view our business associate degree, certificate and professional series programs available.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 46 undergraduate degree programs, and 32 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May County campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.