MakeYourJob.org Launches to Help Address the Summer Job Shortage Currently Facing Young People

NEW YORK, May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), an international non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring young people from low-income communities to stay in school and recognize business opportunities, today launched MakeYourJob.org, an interactive new web resource that gives teens the basic tools and knowledge needed to help turn their interests and hobbies into real businesses. Available at www.MakeYourJob.org, the platform brings key elements of NFTE's entrepreneurship curriculum to the web for free, significantly increasing the reach of entrepreneurship education.

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With the U.S. teen unemployment rates at 24.5% in 2011(Employment Policies Institute and Bureau of Labor Statistics), many young people are likely to continue to struggle to find seasonal or part-time jobs. MakeYourJob.org helps tackle this issue by providing young people, parents and educators with the resources that give youth the opportunity to start their own businesses and create their own summer employment. Upon successful completion of the step-by-step course, users will have developed the core set of skills needed and all of the components of a basic business plan so that they can launch and sustain a micro-enterprise over the summer.

"Today, global unemployment for young people is at an all time high. At the same time, the idea and dream of becoming an entrepreneur is becoming increasingly popular – and with constant innovation and digital connectedness, young people are proactively and creatively seeking to connect their educational and career aspirations in ways that are personally relevant, financially lucrative, and meaningful," said Amy Rosen, President and CEO, NFTE. "By creating MakeYourJob.org, we are giving all youth the chance to explore their dreams through entrepreneurship. For the majority of those using the site, the experience will support and develop their aspirations, teach valuable skills, help them make informed education and career choices in the future. I know all of us at NFTE look forward to watching what this next generation of innovators and entrepreneurial dreamers can achieve."

NFTE's exciting and engaging content will be brought to life on MakeYourJob.org through an easy five step process and will feature advice from some NFTE young entrepreneurs already running their own business, as well as expert advice. Some highlights include:

• Videos  of young entrepreneurs speaking about their business inspirations and encouraging others to "go for it"
• Young entrepreneur profiles, including:
  • Fashion designer
  • Sports enthusiast
  • Website developer
• Social connectivity via Twitter and Facebook
• Glossary of business definitions
• Working business plan that young people can put together and use to present their business idea
• Advice from experts, including:
  • Daymond John, star of ABC's "Shark Tank" and Founder of FUBU, who will be discussing early financing for his business 
  • "Peanut Butter & Company" founder Lee Zalben shares the power of online presence to engage customers and make selling fun
  • Slava Rubin, CEO and co-founder of IndieGoGo, the world's funding platform

In addition, MakeYourJob.org has also partnered with Cambio.com, AOL's popular young adult destination, for the launch of a new content hub on Cambio focused on helping teens create businesses and learn to make smart financial choices throughout their lives. Cambio and the NFTE will collaborate to allow teens access to MakeYourJob.org, along with inspiring videos of fellow teen entrepreneurs on Cambio.com. AOL will also give a select number of teen entrepreneurs competing in NFTE's National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge the opportunity to present their business ideas on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt-NY in September 2012.

About the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship

Too many young people today drop out of school and struggle to break the cycle of poverty. Since 1987, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) has been inspiring young people to pursue educational opportunities, start their own businesses, and succeed in life. By providing entrepreneurship education programs relevant to the real world, NFTE empowers students to own their educations in and out of the classroom and to find their own path to success. Hundreds of thousands of students have discovered opportunity all around them through entrepreneurship via thousands of certified educators worldwide. NFTE supports active programs in 18 states and nine countries around the world. Entrepreneurs are a powerful driver of economic growth and NFTE sows the seeds of innovation in students worldwide. For more information, visit www.nfte.com.

About AOL Inc.

Having helped millions of Americans to get online, AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) is on a mission to inform, entertain and connect the world. The home of a world-class collection of premium brands, AOL creates original content that engages audiences on a local and global scale. We help marketers connect with these audiences through effective and engaging digital advertising solutions.

About Cambio

Cambio is a leading online entertainment platform, connecting teens and young adults with the biggest names in film, television, music, sports and fashion.  Cambio is an anchor member of the Cambio Network, which has a global reach of more than 12.5 million monthly unique visitors and  316 million monthly page views. Cambio creates compelling, award-winning original video programming, news and social experiences.  The company attracts a roster of marquee entertainment and corporate partners including Mark Burnett Productions, Warner Bros. Digital, McG, Killer Films, Jennifer Lopez, among others.  Headquartered in New York and Los Angeles, Cambio is a joint venture between AOL, MGX Lab, and Jonas Group.

For more information, visit www.cambio.com.

SOURCE Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship