On November 23, 2013, I entered the land of promise and opportunity. It was my first Future Business Leaders of America conference at the Leadership Development Institute and I could not possibly have imagined what lay in store for me. In just seven months after the founding of the Cerritos Chapter of FBLA, I found myself inducted as a Southern Section Officer at the State Leadership Conference.

Future Business Leaders of America embodies the complete experience of business. Business is not something you can learn in an AP Economics class because business is organic. It involves human and social interactions with like-minded individuals who share your passion to explore and become involved with the field of business. FBLA served just that purpose. From exploring political debate workshops at the Leadership Development Institute, experiencing competitive events at Sectionals, to being inducted as an office rat State Leadership Conference, FBLA has expanded my vision of the perks and qualities of being a responsible business leader.

Why business? The world has become flat. We have become one globalized village. What used to take months to send a simple letter across the world can now be done in a matter of seconds. Business has been a critical proponent in making this possible. From formulating contracts to investing in communications, business has created a unified world. Simply put, the world revolves around business. It is the understanding of what business is and how it has become a universal language that has accommodated thousands of years of trade and interactions that fuels my passion for the field.

Future Business Leaders of America is the best place to start. There are many events that members can participate in and they vary from business communications, agribusiness, to even public service announcements. It is never too late to join Future Business Leaders of America. From the middle, high school and even college levels, FBLA accommodates a wide range of people who share similar passions in exploring the business world. Students can contact their local chapter or begin their own chapter to embark on the journey that I and many other people have had the privilege of experiencing.