by Sari Signorelli
Issrah Ismail didn’t enroll in Syracuse University’s Entrepreneurship course just to learn the basics—she came in as a business owner, already running her own henna temporary tattoo service and looking to grow it intentionally. “I already got my small business right now and I feel like if I’m in this class it’s going to teach me a lot—what to do and what not to do,” she said, describing why the course mattered not as theory, but as guidance she could use right away.
This intersection of real-world application and academic learning exemplifies the unique value that the SU Entrepreneurship course brings to high school students.
Learning That Translates Beyond the Classroom
For Issrah, the course content resonated precisely because it could be applied immediately. The curriculum’s focus on case studies proved particularly valuable, exposing students to the journeys of entrepreneurs who experienced significant failures before achieving success. These narratives provided more than inspiration—they offered practical perspective on the realities of business ownership.
The lessons extended to mindset development as well. “It teaches you, like when you are starting a business, you have to be patient,” Issrah noted. “You can’t just expect to have a business and let it grow overnight. It takes a lot of time.”
This understanding of sustainable growth and realistic expectations represents exactly the kind of mature thinking we hope to cultivate through SU courses offered through Project Advance—thinking that serves students whether they pursue entrepreneurship, traditional careers, or further education.
Skill Development That Compounds
Beyond content knowledge, Issrah highlighted a critical skill that the course helped develop: research capability. “Do a lot of research, look into it before just doing stuff,” Issrah said when asked about learning skills gained from the class.
This emphasis on thorough investigation before action represents a transferable skill that will serve students across disciplines and life decisions. Issrah noted that these research skills extended “outside of this class too,” demonstrating how taking the SU course creates habits of mind that persist beyond the semester.
Building College-Ready Students
Project Advance gives students a genuine taste of college course expectations and workloads. When asked about the demands of the Entrepreneurship course, Issrah’s response was simple but revealing: “It’s worth it.”
That perspective—understanding that meaningful learning takes effort and embracing the challenge—is exactly what prepares students for college success. They learn not just course content, but the self-discipline and resilience that college demands.
A Strong Endorsement
When asked if she would be recommending the course to other students, Issrah didn’t hesitate: “Yes, I will. Especially to other people that have small businesses or want to get into the business field. I feel like this is a great class to have.”
Issrah’s experience highlights the value of giving motivated students early access to rigorous, relevant college coursework. Through Project Advance, students gain practical skills, confidence, and direction that extend beyond the classroom. Expanding opportunities like these ensures more students graduate ready to apply what they learn and take meaningful steps toward their future.