Skills for Living Invites High School Students to Participate in the “Game of Real Life” June 23, 2011

HOUSTON--Skills for Living (SFL) today announced a final call for registrations for participation in the non-profit organization’s 2011 “Game of Real Life.” The “Game of Real Life” is a three- week course that teaches 15 and 16 year old students how to integrate financial, career and college planning decisions to achieve their goals. Students learn about the cost of owning a home and a car, how much college will really cost, the importance of applying for scholarships and how to interview for a job.

Instructors and team leaders teach students to work on teams in a highly interactive environment. Through the curriculum, they think critically and discover their career interest areas. Additionally, they learn to:
• Develop a funding plan for college
• Create a resume
• Develop a 30 second elevator pitch
• Master a six-step interview
• Complete tax returns
• Prepare financial statements
• Complete applications for Stafford loans
• Manage credit cards
• Buy homes, cars, and insurance

Once the students have mastered the core content, they meet with career mentors to discuss careers, and apply their new knowledge by playing a 16-hour experiential game where they speed interview for a job, are trained for the job they will have in the game and then “age” from 19 to 26 in one hour intervals while working, paying bills and making life choices.

Classes are held Monday-Friday from 8:00-3:30 for three weeks beginning June 23 and are held at either University of Houston or Rice University. The final Game of Real Life will be played at the George R. Brown Convention Center on July 15 and 16.

Students who qualify for free and reduced lunch pay $50 tuition for the entire course. Other students' tuition is based on family income.

To register a student or volunteer for the event, call Skills For Living at 713-782-9974. Skills For Living is a Houston-based non-profit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through financial education. The organization’s website is www.skills4living.org.