For more than 25 years, Best Buy has worked side-by-side with BestPrep to prepare students with business, career and financial literacy skills that lay the foundation for future success. In the early days of the partnership, Best Buy volunteers presented in high school classrooms and during the summer at BestPrep’s Minnesota Business Venture program. They have consistently provided leadership through board member representation and committee participation.
In recent years Best Buy employees have volunteered as mock interviewers, Minnesota Business Venture business plan judges and Student Spotlight essay competition judges for the BestPrep Educational Forum. In 2024, Best Buy became a Cloud Coach partner, co-sponsoring two ninth grade classes in St. Paul, Humboldt High School and Highland Park Senior High. Hundreds of volunteers have now participated. According to one Best Buy mentor, “I was reminded of how hard it is to be a ninth grader and all the emotional challenges they face. It made me even more grateful for making my way through it and landing where I am today. I can’t take that for granted.”
[Photo of Jill Giefer (right) and her mentee (left) from Humboldt High School.]
Jill Giefer, Head of Enterprise Research and Experience Measurement at Best Buy and BestPrep board member, shared, “BestPrep offers our employees an opportunity to interact with tomorrow’s workforce in a meaningful way not only for each student but for our volunteers. We are grateful for their programming.”
Congratulations to this month’s featured partner, Best Buy, for their investment of time, money, and commitment to supporting Minnesota students.
