The West Virginia University College of Business & Economics’ Entrepreneurship Center has teamed up with the WVU Business Incubator (WVUBI) in a successful effort to place students into internships in which they can gain real life work experience.
The Entrepreneurship Center was created to actively promote and support current as well as aspiring entrepreneurs and provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel. Similarly, under the direction of the West Virginia University Research Corporation (WVURC), the WVU Business Incubator promotes economic development by supporting entrepreneurs, advancing entrepreneurial activities, and providing early stage businesses with space, facilities, and support services.
A local businessman, Trev Hall, assisted in coordinating the intern program and is currently teaching an entrepreneurship class. He has been one of the many forces actively involved in helping the Entrepreneurship Center to gain additional funding and place students into successful internship positions.
“The role of the Entrepreneurship Center and the WVUBI in adapting students to the real world is major,” said Hall. “We are helping the students by giving real life opportunities as well as assisting the companies. Startup companies need the most help because their risk is the highest.”
One of the success stories stemming from this collaboration is that of WVU junior, LeeAnne Harris. LeeAnne is an accounting major and active member of the WVU professional business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. LeeAnne was placed in her position by the combined efforts of the Entrepreneurship Center, the WVUBI, and Russel Sobel, James Clark Coffman, Distinguished Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies/Professor of Economics. She is now an essential member of the WVUBI tenant company, EyeMarker Systems, Inc. providing services as their accounting intern.
“I have been working here since March and what I like most about working here is seeing how small businesses work,” said Harris. “Having only 4 people working for a small company, it is interesting to see how work gets delegated and things get done.”
Harris attributes the work experience at the WVUBI to helping better prepare her for her future as well.
“I get a lot of experience in correspondence as I am talking to CEO’s of companies on a daily basis, and I am learning a lot about government contracts. But mostly, and which I find most interesting, I am learning about how small businesses are funded,” said Harris.
EyeMarker Systems CSO, Dr. Chris Kolanko, works one on one with Ms. Harris on a daily basis and has observed just how greatly her presence and skills have contributed to his company.
“LeeAnne has been instrumental in the past year as to the success of the development of the Ocular Scanning Instrument Prototype system. Her management of the company’s government contracts and Morgantown office during this time has enabled the scientific and corporate staff to focus more on technology development. For such a young person in her career she has taken on leadership roles within the company that impressed all of us,” said Kolanko.
Ms. Harris plans to continue her work for with the WVUBI and EyeMarker Systems, Inc. until graduation in May 2008. From there she hopes to earn a Masters in Industrial Relations.
Another example of success from the collaboration is that of intern Matt Anstey. For the summer of 2006, Matt, a WVU senior business and finance major, contributed as a member of the WVU Small Business Development Center.
“I worked on everything from constructing business plans, developing financial statements, writing papers, forming data sheets, as well as had the opportunity to sit in on meetings with clients who require business consulting and help give advice,” said Anstey. “The internship has taught me many valuable skills which can be translated into my career when I leave school. The real world business plans I have contributed to have expanded my knowledge on how businesses are run.”
Anstey is also currently a member of one of the finalist teams in the Statewide Student Business Plan Competition hosted by the WVU Entrepreneurship Center. The winning team will receive $10,000 to start their business in West Virginia.
With the WVUBI currently assisting in the development of 14 companies, there are a variety of positions for students to be placed in. It has been essential for the two programs to be working hand in hand to give students the opportunity to truly test their skills, gain more knowledge, and get a feeling for the work place ahead of time.
General Manager of the WVUBI, Dusty Gwinn stated, “We are extremely grateful for the support from the Entrepreneurship Center and are proud of the contributions many of the interns are providing to our tenants.”
For further information, contact the Entrepreneurship Center at the College of Business and Economics by phone at (304) 293-7221 or fax at (304) 293-5652.
Written by Brittany Milliken, Corporate Services Intern
Posted by Matt Livengood on January 4, 2007 at 1:57 pm in the following categories: EyeMarker Systems, WVU, WVUBI
