Pitt Business e-newsletter Issue 10, July 2008
High-Impact Internships in the IEE
Where does a student studying studio arts and American Sign Language cross paths with a marketing major? In the offices of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE), where students from all disciplines and schools interact as consulting, marketing, and administrative interns. This type of interaction happens every day in the IEE.
Jason Spudic, a newly graduated marketing intern in the IEE, comes from a long line of entrepreneurs. He first became familiar with the IEE when, after a fire seriously damaged his family's business, he attended one of its family business seminars. Attracted to an organization that understands the unique circumstances of entrepreneurs and families in business, Spudic saw the internship as an opportunity to work with other entrepreneurs in a professional work environment.
Amanda Wheeler—who graduated in April with a bachelor's degree in psychology, an American Sign Language certificate, and studio arts minor—said she was attracted to the IEE internship because of the challenging responsibilities it presented.
"I originally found out about the IEE while looking for a work study position through the University," Wheeler said. "Many other positions were just mundane desk jobs, but the position at the IEE allowed me the opportunity to gain valuable experience and skills in design, marketing, and event planning with an organization that was making an impact on the region's economy."
Wheeler said her time at the IEE has paid off, providing her with insights into the daily process of running a business and first-hand knowledge of the resources available to small business owners.
"My eyes have been opened to how much really goes into the formation and maintenance of small and mid-sized businesses," Wheeler said.
As Spudic will attest, however, some aspects of small business management are learned only through experience.
"I expected to develop the skills necessary to run a small business, but I now realize that these skills are impossible to teach," he said. "The only way to truly understand the sacrifice and frustration of entrepreneurship is to try it."
For Spudic, who had no professional experience outside his family's business, the internship also taught him valuable lessons in office management and professional etiquette.
"Perhaps the most important lesson I've taken from my time at the IEE involved working with others and learning how to treat them," Spudic said. "As a marketing major, I also appreciated the opportunity to work on real promotional materials."
Spudic, who received the Bachelor of Business Administration from the College of Business Administration this spring, decided to return to his father's company, a computer numerical control and manual machine shop in Gibsonia called True Positions, Inc. He now handles purchasing, quoting, shipping, receiving, and project management, as well as some human resources and other office management responsibilities. Much like the family business members he worked with at the IEE, he believes the business is strengthened by its family ownership.
"My time with the IEE persuaded me to work with my family by showing me the benefits and unique opportunities inherent to family business," Spudic said.
Wheeler will join the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ at the end of the summer, having accepted a campus ministry position in the Pittsburgh Metro Region. She anticipates using many of the professional interpersonal skills she has developed in the IEE, as well as her event planning and marketing experience.
"The IEE experience complemented my classroom learning, because I was not only going to work in between classes, but also gaining real-world experience and instruction," Wheeler said.
The experience affected her so much that she said she has considered changing career goals.
"I started out with a desire to eventually do graphic design, but through my experiences working with Katie Pavlich, the IEE's events logistics manager, I discovered that event planning is something I would love to pursue," she said.
"I would advise other students to work in the IEE because of the invaluable real-world experience and networking opportunities that can be gained," Wheeler added. "Interns and student consultants are not treated as such, but instead as integral members of the organization and important players in stimulating growth among the businesses in Western Pennsylvania."
Students interested in an internship with the IEE should contact the IEE's Associate Director Chris Kush at 412-648-1806 or cakush@katz.pitt.edu
