West Islip High School hosted a Business Bridge event on April 17 in the school’s auditorium, providing business students with a unique opportunity to connect with local industry professionals and apply their learning in a real-world setting.
Throughout the morning, students engaged with representatives from three local businesses — Clear Vision, Hidden Rhythms and ECNY — all members of the West Islip Business Advisory Board. Each organization shared insights into their business models, as well as the challenges and successes they have experienced.
Students then conducted interviews with the business owners, asking thoughtful questions to gain a deeper understanding of operations, growth strategies and problem solving in today’s marketplace. Building on these conversations, students used artificial intelligence tools to develop innovative ideas aimed at improving various aspects of the businesses.
The event culminated with student presentations, where participants pitched their ideas to a panel of judges, demonstrating both creativity and critical thinking.
The Business Bridge event highlighted the value of face-to-face connections while reinforcing the importance of using AI responsibly and effectively. Sponsored by the school’s DECA and FBLA clubs, the program offered students a meaningful, hands-on learning experience that bridged classroom instruction with real-world application.