Slide 1

This slide is designed to give the audience a chance to settle before the presentation begins.1Internship PresentationKutztown University Small Business Development Center

Keith Karatzas

Hello, my name is Keith Karatzas and I will be explaining my duties and responsibilities during my 300 hour internship at the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center, also known as the K U S B D C.2KU SBDC

The Kutztown University Small Business Development Center is located just off-campus in the Kutztown University Foundation Building. The purpose of the SBDC is to help local small businesses and small business owners grow their businesses. To do this, the staff of the SBDC works to examine demographic data, create effective business plans and help clients network with other businesses and local resources, as well as many other services.3Outline of ResponsibilitiesSocial mediaBlogFacebookTwitterSocial Media GuideWriting/EditingOff-site Obligations

My primary duties at the SBDC involved creating content for and maintaining social media at the SBDC, including a blog, Facebook page and Twitter account. I also worked to create a social media guide, first for SBDC clients, then later to help future staff members continue to manage the social media. I also wrote correspondence, press releases and advertisements. I also edited reports and pieces written by other staff members. I also traveled off site to promote the SBDC.4The Kutztown SBDC Blog

On the SBDC blog I was responsible for posting a minimum of 3 times a week, which increased as my internship progressed.5The Kutztown SBDC Facebook Page

On the SBDC Facebook page I posted changes to the blog and also interesting stories which I did not write about in postings. Since the Facebook update to timeline, I also worked to add milestones to the page.6Writing

While at the SBDC some of what I wrote included a social media guide, blog postings and an advertisement for my own position.

These are just a few examples of the pieces which I wrote during my time at the SBDC. The blog posts were created to inform and educate readers on small business news and resources. I also had the chance to write articles for later use in the SBDC newsletter. One of my final responsibilities was to write an advertisement for my own position as an intern at the SBDC.7Editing

Frequently throughout the semester I was given articles written by other members of the SBDC. I also edited and rewrote formal letters before they were to be sent. Many of the other interns and graduate students at the SBDC sent me their work for editing. Also during my time at the SBDC, I edited formal reports for consistency and grammar.8Plumb Line Grand Opening

I also had the chance to attend the grand opening of a client of the SBDC, Plumb Line Physical Therapy. I went to the event to promote the SBDC as well as use my journalistic skills to write an article and take pictures to post on the SBDCs social media outlets.9Skills UsedWriting for the WorkplaceDesktop PublishingInformation DesignJournalism LabTechnical WritingCopy and Line Editing

While interning I used the skills that I obtained taking various Professional Writing courses like Writing for the Workplace, Desktop Publishing, Information Design, Journalism Lab, Technical Writing and Copy and Line Editing.10Desired CoursesIntro to PRMagazine Writing

Other College CoursesBusiness

While I was well-prepared to intern at the SBDC, I believe that additional courses in the professional writing curriculum may have been helpful. I had only one opportunity to write a press release, but I have not taken the Public Relations class. I also believe that magazine writing would have been helpful. Even though I did not write for a magazine publication, the additional knowledge of tone and content may have been helpful in writing for the SBDC, as well as evaluating publications for clients. Of courses outside the curriculum, I believe that a basic business course would have been helpful to learn the business concepts. While a lack of business terminology and concepts did not hinder my internship, it would have made it easier at the beginning.11Final ThoughtsWorking with other majorsAble to start from my comfort zone

I believe that I have learned much while interning at the SBDC. I have a better grasp of what I can accomplish with my skills learned while being a professional writing major. Most of the staff at the SBDC is comprised of interns and graduate students drawn from several different majors at Kutztown University. I found it to be very helpful to work alongside other majors, since I have not done so since taking Gen Ed classes. Due to the nature of my work, my site supervisor was more than willing to let me start from my comfort zone and give me tasks to move out from there to expand my skills and experience. My internship has been an extremely rewarding way to finish out my college career.12Contact informationSite SupervisorPeter Hornbergerhornberg@kutztown.edu

Thank you

My site supervisor was Peter Hornberger and he is always happy to help interns gain knowledge and experience as well as help anyone looking to start a small business.13