Douglas High grad ventures into big world of business

Douglas High School graduate Andrew Solomon, now a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, said it was his Jewish faith and his interest in economics, international studies and business that compelled him to join TAMID Israel Investment Group.

"The nature of the group is so unique and inspiring that it is difficult not to be drawn to it," Solomon, who graduated from high school last spring, said in an e-mail from Michigan. "The goal of the organization is to connect business-minded students to the Israeli economy through a hands-on education program, business application (managing a portfolio of Israeli securities and consulting for Israeli start-ups), and the TAMID fellowship program, which includes a summer internship at a top Israeli financial institution."

Solomon said the group's ultimate goal is to engage college students around the country with Israel and have a national campus presence.

"I interviewed along with about 75 others for a spot in TAMID and was selected after an application and interview process," he said. "I am in the education piece right now. We meet twice a week, once for a seminar with either an Israeli CEO, a prominent university professor, or basically anyone whom the leaders of TAMID think would be interesting and beneficial for the goals of the program.

"The second day we meet in 'huddle sessions.' There I am part of a consulting group doing a real life consulting project for a company called Periwise, a start-up in Israel that does high-tech mobile bar code technology. We did a little market research and product and business evaluation for them, and we are now working to develop a successful and practical direction for the company to move in."

Solomon said he enjoys the consulting and "real world work" he's doing.

"We have had international conference calls both with the CEO and owner of Periwise as well as international Skype conference calls with Israeli venture capitalists," he said. "They take place at 1 a.m., and everyone shows up because the people are so cool, in the cold and dead of night on a school night I might add."

Solomon also said he's been working about 10 hours a week at the university's economics department.

"I've had lots of exposure to professors and other opportunities," he said. "I've met some amazing people here and some doors have really opened for me. I will be going to Israel over winter break on the Taglit-Birthright Israel trip sponsored through University of Michigan Hillel."

Solomon, who's lived in Israel and speaks Hebrew, said his faith is an important part of his life and work.

"It's something that I think about constantly," he said, "something that I think is not to be determined ever in one sense. It should be a life-long examination and exploration."

This summer, Solomon hopes to have an internship in either entrepreneurship, marketing or investment banking.

"I will probably not be returning to Nevada until summer," he said, "just too much going on and too much to see and do here."

For more information about TAMID, visit www.tamidgroup.org.