"The BIGS curriculum has truly increased the knowledge of our high school class of 2019. The BIGS helped us introduce our high school students to career readiness: understanding life & career in preparation for college and beyond. Our students enjoyed the book and learned so much about themselves during the process. Our main touch point was to truly understand ones-self, personality traits and how that can positively impact career objectives and life long goals. The experiential learning piece was very important, students left our six-week workshop feeling empowered to continue their path learning about careers, college, and the Big Leagues."  -Kelonda Maull, High School & College Coordinator | Horizons at GFA 

“After hearing Ben speak in person, I learned not only what it takes to succeed in a cutthroat business environment, but I now have a better understanding of how to obtain my dream job, no matter what professional field I end up pursuing. Ben was open and honest about his path to success and his failures along the way, which made his message that much more relatable and effective. After reading The Bigs and hearing Ben’s perspective in person, I feel confident going into my summer internship (now it would be my first full time position) that I can make an impact and stand out as a leader.”  - Elle Wilson | Duke University Association for Business Oriented Women

When I finish high school I would like to pursue a career in the medical field, more specifically a neonatal nurse. In my opinion, the book The Bigs Project that was given to me during the presentation was a very big help at putting my nerves at ease. It states that if I take those steps presented in the book and follow the guidelines given,  I will definitely find the career that best suits me if the career I chose previously doesn't work out. I believe both the presentation and the book encourages everyone, including myself, to venture out and put in the effort to find a job that I will end up loving. 

Ben Carpenter, in partnership with SUNY and the College Bound Initiative, hosted and presented to a group of 35 highly engaged high school students from the College Bound Initiative program. The College Bound Initiative program is based out of New York City whose mission is to empower young women and men to realize their higher education and life potential by placing full-time college guidance experts in high-need public schools. The students were able to receive a very personalized visit with Ben and had many great questions for him about the Bigs book and his own personal journey. At the end of the event, all students filled out a survey asking them what they gained from the presentation. All of the students rated the presentation very favorably, and each one of them had noted a piece of advice that Ben had given them throughout his presentation. The students found his presentation to be “amazing” and they were given “the tools to be successful.” Overall, the event was a huge success and will be an experience that they will not forget. Thanks Ben!

"The Bigs has an opportunity to make a huge impact on your students’ lives! Parents and students alike loved the format and the information.  Parents expressed their gratitude for bringing this information to their students."

"It was great to have The Bigs Project come to SHS. Our seniors were thoroughly engaged in both the video and the Q & A with Ben afterwards. In the days since the assembly, many of our seniors are more deeply exploring the ideas and advice from Ben in their Business Math class. We hope to bring The Bigs Project back to SHS in the fall to allow for a full year of his wisdom to be used by our students."