Meet Jacie McNair, a junior at South Haven High School and a student in the Marketing, Sales & Business program at Van Buren Tech. Jacie comes from a family with a history in entrepreneurship and sales, which inspired him to join the program and develop hands-on business skills.
Jacie was recently named the overall winner of the Stukent Social Media Marketing Simternship, which included individual participants from both the morning and afternoon classes. In this challenge, each student acted as a marketing representative for a company that produced items such as suitcases, lunch bags, and totes. Working with a simulated weekly budget of $5,000, students developed digital marketing strategies focused on increasing conversion rates. Jacie achieved the highest conversion rates of all participants, demonstrating strong skills in data-driven decision-making and marketing strategy.
His instructor, Stephanie Reed, shared that Jacie entered the class with a foundational knowledge of marketing terminology. Throughout the school year, she watched him expand that understanding and apply it in meaningful ways, especially during the Simternship contest, where he stood out for his strategic thinking and performance.
Jacie says the program has been an investment in his future, helping him develop valuable skills and grow his confidence. He enjoys being part of Van Buren Tech because of the hands-on experiences and career-focused learning opportunities that aren’t always available in a traditional high school environment. Looking ahead, Jacie hopes to pursue a career in sales and credits the program with helping him explore that goal.