Introduction
My practicum was to create a business while enrolled in the class ENES-210. I worked on the foundations of a small business and the ins and outs of how to curate a portfolio of clients, mentors, and ideas to then use to create a successful. Even with online learning i believe that this experience has been successful in making me a better consumer and student. I came across the idea to do this assignment through the help of my fellow students and my scholars advisors for presenting me with such an interesting opportunity.
Growth
During my experience in this practicum I have learned how business get their start up and how necessary it is to network and make connections with those around you. My first interactions right off the bat were my fellow classmates and the majors they were in and the connections they were making through that as well as my connections at work. Currently living in Baltimore Maryland this semester I decided to work for a small business, Route One Apparel, which has reinforced how real and practical the overall class has been.
Assignment
As a professional I have learned a lot of skills that I had not even known were a part of creating a business such as an income statement. I am a behavioral health major at UMD and therefore I did not realize the math and the organization needed to set up a business yet also it opened my eyes to how possible it is to sit down and start a business. Originally to me the only person who could own a business was someone lucky like Steve jobs yet with the right work ethic and knowledge its entirely feasible.
Outcomes
Going forward I believe my practicum will be help me a great deal. So far it has helped me gain many more opportunities at the job I am currently involved in. My practicum has pushed me to a place a I had not envisioned myself, which is the best thing I could have asked for in an a long term assignment. I will be continuing to work for route one over the summer and will then be working with a team to bring more products to the University of Maryland and being able to share an amazing idea with the student population it was intended to benefit.
Post Grad
Going forward in my studies at the University of Maryland I plan to continue my studies as a Behavioral Health major while also working for small businesses such as Route One. On the horizon for the future I am going to be enrolling in a class to get my insurance license to then work for a small insurance company virtually to then help pay my college tuition.My main goal is to do graduate school to then become a school counselor yet there are many opportunities out there that just need to have a light shed on it and this practicum has been a great way to achieve that enlightenment.