Students support local businesses through internships at New Paltz Regional Chamber

As local and state governments continue to enforce shelter-in-place orders, small local businesses across the United States are facing difficult decisions.

Through their work at the New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce, eight SUNY New Paltz students are finding ways to virtually support area businesses during this time of uncertainty and change.

“Our interns are eager to implement the skills they’ve learned in class in a way that can complement what’s going on in the business world today as everyone adjusts to a new normal,” said the Chamber’s Executive Director Christopher Short. “Our internship programs with New Paltz students play a vital role in helping businesses grow and allow the students to take their education to a deeper level.”

Student interns at the Chamber this semester include Alana Pena ’21 (International Business), Bri Sowa ’21 (Marketing), Grace Sakellariou ’20 (Marketing), Jason Stapf ’20 (Digital Media Production), Stephany Passero ’20 (Digital Media Production), Sophia Romano-Clinton ’20 (Marketing), Jessica Merten ’20 (Digital Media Production) and Veronica O’Brien ’21 (International Business).

Short relies on their talents and commitment to help organize weekly virtual networking meetings, and to conceptualize, create and edit videos and other social media communications to keep the local business community connected, engaged and informed.

“Although the COVID-19 crisis has had a major effect on the workplace making telecommuting a priority, this internship already entailed remote work previous to this crisis,” said Romano-Clinton. “We were well equipped to continue to work on virtual networking opportunities and personal content to connect with Chamber members.”

The New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce is a full service, year-round chamber with a small full-time staff serving the needs of members, area residents and visitors to the Hudson Valley region. Its programs and services are made possible by its more than 400 active members, with additional support provided by members at the corporate partnership level.

“I am looking forward to seeing how else we can innovate to make the best of the current pandemic,” added  Merten. “We all have a lot of creative ideas and when we put our minds together, they become a reality.”

Beth King, internship coordinator at the College’s Career Resource Center, discussed how SUNY New Paltz and the New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce work together to create opportunities for interns to support local business on a recent episode of the Chamber’s “Exit 18” podcast

Most recently, the team has helped produce and promote “Exit 18” – a long-form podcast with local business people. They also have plans to create a digital, on-demand library offering remote business tips and information.

“The College is a huge part of our community and the students play a big role in defining what New Paltz is,” said Short. “As our lives continue to change and evolve, business owners are looking for new ideas and we are here to connect them with the wealth of talent in our area already.”

More information about the School of Business and the New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce is available online.