The overall mission of GTM is to create a pipeline of qualified young professionals who are adept at problem solving. It also aims to stimulate a spirit of entrepreneurialism as Michigan’s economy shifts to higher-value added technologies while remaining at the forefront of innovation.
Since 1998, GTM has provided more than 2,500 area high school students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s dynamic world economy. GTM is an intensive, two-day, hands-on virtual learning experience that simulates an international trade mission and concludes on day three with students presenting professional business plans to a panel of "investors". With collaboration from business, education, and government, and working in cross-district teams of four, students are presented with a real-world case study on how to best market and sell a Macomb County company’s product, service, or technology overseas based on the opportunities, challenges and unique characteristics of doing business in a particular country. Student teams create a unique business export plan, and present their findings to a panel of business executives who will evaluate them on content, quality, originality and feasibility of their business proposals.
Through this extraordinary opportunity, awareness is created among students about exciting careers in international business and in the high-tech industries and emerging technologies with the most promising growth potential overseas. They include: cleantech and renewable energy; defense and homeland security; IT and cybersecurity, life sciences and medical devices; and robotics and automation. GTM is an outstanding model of business, government, and education working together to address 21st century student skills.
Student participants gain a unique understanding in the subject matters of global trade, entrepreneurship, business and culture. This includes learning skills regarding communication, use of global technology, teamwork, diversity, career awareness and planning, and
exposure to business coaches and mentors.
Click here to watch a video about GTM. Make sure that your speakers are turned on, but note that the audio does not start until forty seconds in to the video.
Since 1998, GTM has provided more than 2,500 area high school students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s dynamic world economy. GTM is an intensive, two-day, hands-on virtual learning experience that simulates an international trade mission and concludes on day three with students presenting professional business plans to a panel of "investors". With collaboration from business, education, and government, and working in cross-district teams of four, students are presented with a real-world case study on how to best market and sell a Macomb County company’s product, service, or technology overseas based on the opportunities, challenges and unique characteristics of doing business in a particular country. Student teams create a unique business export plan, and present their findings to a panel of business executives who will evaluate them on content, quality, originality and feasibility of their business proposals.
Through this extraordinary opportunity, awareness is created among students about exciting careers in international business and in the high-tech industries and emerging technologies with the most promising growth potential overseas. They include: cleantech and renewable energy; defense and homeland security; IT and cybersecurity, life sciences and medical devices; and robotics and automation. GTM is an outstanding model of business, government, and education working together to address 21st century student skills.
Student participants gain a unique understanding in the subject matters of global trade, entrepreneurship, business and culture. This includes learning skills regarding communication, use of global technology, teamwork, diversity, career awareness and planning, and
exposure to business coaches and mentors.
Click here to watch a video about GTM. Make sure that your speakers are turned on, but note that the audio does not start until forty seconds in to the video.
"This intense multi-day experience provides high school students with an opportunity to work in a team structure to analyze and ultimately solve a complex problem or situation. Keeping Michigan’s economic growth and entrepreneurial innovation at the forefront of each Global Trade Mission challenge, students create a unique business export plan to support their research, which is presented to a panel of experts from business, government and education. Over the years this program has been instrumental in helping students realize their true abilities and understand the complexity of real-world global issues that affect everyone. We are pleased to provide this program at the MISD."
- Mike DeVault, Superintendent
- Mike DeVault, Superintendent