Potomac Stories

Reflecting on EFEB’s Pilot Year

Through a combination of coursework, hands-on experiences, and/or individual research, students in Potomac’s Economics, Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Business (EFEB) concentration can gain a profound understanding of the business world while also preparing themselves for future success in the field. 

Launched in fall 2022-23, EFEB – Potomac’s fourth concentration program – is designed to provide interested students an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of economic and business issues. This two-year program requires students to complete coursework across the relevant disciplines, undertake a four-week internship or research project during the summer between their junior and senior years, and complete a capstone project in a specific area of interest. 

With the program in its second year, let’s check in to learn about highlights from the pilot year. 

Guest Speakers Enhance the Curriculum

Guest speakers are a cornerstone of the Potomac experience. EFEB students also benefit from meeting and hearing from a wide array of industry leaders and subject-matter experts. The program hosted four members of our community to speak with students last year: Philip Lam, infrastructure finance specialist at the World Bank; Robby Moser, CEO of Clark Construction; Scott Barbee, owner and president of Aegis Financial Corporation; and Dr. Sebnem Kalemli-Ozcan, the Neil Moskowitz professor of economics at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Our guests’ topics tied into students’ coursework such as Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Why are Poor Countries Poor?, and Advanced Micro and Macroeconomics. While Mr. Lam offered our Upper School students a unique global perspective on infrastructure development, Mr. Moser discussed the fundamental factors for business success, from having a quality product to creating opportunity through innovation. Mr Barbee gave a talk, titled “Journey of a Wall Street Skeptic," and Dr. Kalemli-Ozcan shared her passion for economics and discussed the concepts of scarcity, opportunity cost, and the fact that businesses, individuals, and governments are interconnected in systems through economics.

‘Shark Tank’ Thrives at Potomac

In Potomac’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation class, EFEB students spend a semester experiencing the realities of the business world, where creativity and practical skills combine to develop innovative ideas that solve a problem or address a need. The students culminated their semester experience with Shark Tank-style presentations in front of a team of volunteer sharks made up of Potomac faculty and staff, and alumni. 33 students pitched a variety of products. The panel of sharks asked probing questions about finances, marketing plans, future growth, logo selection, and more. They also offered their experience and guidance, which was well-received by all our students. Alums Abby Sullivan ’97, Reed Landry ’99, and Andrew Serafin ’92 spent valuable time with the students, as did Potomac parent Arun Gupta, adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Read more in Discovering an Entrepreneurial Spirit.

Real World Experience

What does a hedge fund manager actually do? How can an economist improve lives? How do you launch a startup? These are questions that are explored through the curriculum, but can be part of a deeper learning experience during the four week internship or research project required in the summer following junior year. Dyana Conroy, Potomac’s CFO/COO, helped to connect many of our Potomac students with community members at General Dynamics, Clark Construction, FLGA, Summer@Potomac, and others, who graciously served as internship sponsors or research mentors.

Read some of their reflections:

“There were many valuable lessons I learned during my time at Clark. Firstly, I got to experience my first time working in a corporate office, and with that, I learned how to practice proper office etiquette. I also had the outstanding opportunity to understand how Clark works behind the scenes and how each subsidiary functions under the Clark Group,” shared Paige Ramsey ’24, intern, strategy, research, and development department, Clark Construction.

“During my first week, I read Benjamin Graham’s book The Intelligent Investor and then wrote a thesis on investing vs speculation. I researched different famous “investors” and determined if they were investing or speculating. I learned about discounted cash flow modeling tools and experimented and discussed the models with the other interns. In my final week, I researched Costco – and using everything I learned – presented my findings to my bosses during the final meeting,” stated Owen Peterson ’24, intern, family office, at Perpetual Capital.

“My internship with General Dynamics was incredibly beneficial! I am so happy and appreciative to have the unique opportunity to intern there as a high school student. Working with such talents and multifaceted individuals, I learned an immense amount of information concerning DEI planning and strategy and the intricate efforts behind organizing benefits for each employee at such a large and successful company,” offered Daelyn Dimps ’24, intern, DEI / benefits & compensation, at General Dynamics.

“This was an invaluable experience. Researching this project, and working with my mentor, solidified that real estate development is the career I want to pursue. Learning specific aspects of the development world and experiencing a typical workday showed me the ins and outs of this business. Additionally, studying the Union Market redevelopment project gave me incredible insight into all that goes into a development project and gave me experience in the exact field I want to pursue that I likely would not have found elsewhere,” proclaimed Auden Easter ’24, who researched the redevelopment of Union Market. 

So What’s Next?

As our first students complete their final year in the concentration, the EFEB team will assess the program and determine what modifications might be needed. Giorgio Secondi, one of the EFEB leaders, offered insights into how the program might evolve with the consideration of new classes and a session to coach students on resume writing and interviewing skills.

If you would be interested in sponsoring a four-week internship in the summer of 2024, please email Dyana Conroy to discuss further. Thank you for supporting this important Potomac initiative!