Small Business Development Center Aids Businesses Through Intern Program

Tennessee Tech students can help small businesses across the Upper Cumberland through a new Small Business Development Center program.

The UCDD-Tech partnership provides students for projects ranging from financial matters to graphic design to social media. Small Business Specialist Jodi Pitts said that the program was created to maximize the center’s offering to the community.

“So instead of an intern being placed for the entire semester, they are working off of a project list,” Pitts said. “So they’re really tackling issues that are facing small businesses and they’re able to work through and progress quicker in order to serve more businesses.”

Pitts said that in addition to small businesses getting the hand up that they need, interns will also benefit. In addition to being compensated, Pitts said the students are able to get real-world experience.

“It also gives them a chance to work on things that are not directly in their line of study,” Pitts said. “So it really gives them a diversified experience.”

Pitts said local businesses interested in taking part of the program, need to contact the Small Business Development Center directly. She said that while there is a waiting list on projects for now, the interns are working through them quickly.