Picture what it is like to travel downtown in our local area. If you’re like myself and many others, images of small stores, people, and possibly even events, pop into mind. When thinking of local events, what do you picture?

Maybe you’d picture images of local festivals, like on or near Christmas, perhaps events with wine, food and live music.

Both of these concepts share a commonality in the respect that they may be managed, funded and supported by your local chamber of economic development and/or chamber of commerce.

I work as an intern for Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corp. and the aforementioned visualizations and concepts above are the nature of job, something which not many are privy to (including myself before coming here. I had absolutely no clue what a Chamber of Commerce was).

So far, working for the CCEDC has been a truly eye-opening experience, mostly in the way it has changed how I perceive and understand small businesses.

It taught me about advertising, exposure — and possibly the most importantly of which — teaching me the ways businesses both thrive and struggle under many different economic conditions along with how to support them.

Also prominently noted, the CCEDC’s work environment has made me accustomed to working in a professional workspace, in a setting that will resemble my future, and thus offers a valuable first step in the transition from the mundane to substantial work experience.

My impression of the CCEDC is positive because of these contributing factors and because of the development of the knowledge it has given me and in its care for small businesses and their owners. Additionally, because of the organization’s positive impact on the community, it has helped me to appreciate this job more and more for its pivotal value in connecting both new and established entrepreneurs with more customers and engaging the community.

I also value the program because it is easily accessible to students like myself.

Either through the Carbon County workforce summer employment program, or, by other means, the experience it offers, along with the ease of access, qualifies it as one of my cherished positions I’ve had.