TeenLife 2024 Guide to Summer Programs

By ANAGHA HAMSALA
BETA Camp
Why did you choose to participate in
BETA Camp?
I was always interested in both medicine and
business; I just didn’t know how I could make use
of them together. I had participated in business
clubs before, but they were very structured experiences.
I was looking for something that would allow
me to get more real-world experience, and really
open the doors for me creatively. BETA Camp is all
about hands-on learning: you learn business and a
leadership mindset by creating your own startup.
I wanted to see what it was like to create my own
business, and explore my passion for business,
while also getting the skills and mindset you need
as a leader in any field.
How did you decide that BETA Camp was
right for you?
When I found BETA Camp, one thing that caught
my attention was how I could have a real-world
impact in high school, and I didn’t need to wait to
graduate college to start my career. At BETA Camp,
you're talking to real world experts, getting advice
from them, and working alongside them. I think
there's nothing more valuable than starting to get
that real world experience at a young age.
What was a typical day at BETA Camp?
My typical day at BETA Camp was filled with knowledge-filled
workshops conducted by subject-matter
experts in technology, business, science and engineering.
We also had mentoring sessions on how
to tackle challenges that we faced in our startup.
Throughout the program, I was able to correlate
patterns and solve problems within the real world.
What was the most memorable moment at
BETA Camp?
There was a day when I felt as if everything were falling
apart and no progress was being made. But I heard
myself repeating the wise words of our Program Director:
“If you have an idea, launch it. Entrepreneurship is
one of those places where if you don’t go after an idea,
it’ll wither.” This advice was a turning point in my journey,
and many times afterwards.
What advice do you have for teens looking
at summer programs?
Often, when looking at programs many teens consider
the quality and quantity of a program. But, also consider
the quantity and quality of effort you are willing to put
into it. When I was searching for programs, I was drawn
to BETA Camp because I knew that the amount of effort
I put into it would return back to me in so many different
ways throughout the course of my career. BETA Camp
was the program which allowed me to cultivate a different
mindset and another level of experience altogether
to pursue the opportunities I have now.
2024 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO SUMMER PROGRAMS | 39