Week Nine - Contracts and Copy editing

WVU Research Corporation building.

The ninth week was definitely a change from the regular. On Tuesday, I was tasked with comparing two contracts to see if any significant changes took place. It was for the WV Small Business Development Center, and it was simply time for a new contract.
I had to go line by line to make sure it was the same, and if anything had changed, I had to make note of it. While this wasn't the most exciting challenge I've faced at the WVU Business Incubator, it was a simple task that I did not have to do any prior research for, which is nice

Thursday brought different challenges, as I was able to produce my first editing project! Dusty is nominating Chris Yura, founder and CEO of SustainU, for the Generation Morgantown 2010 Young Professionals award. Dusty asked Anne, a fellow (paid) intern to draft up a 200 word document stating Chris' nomination. I was then asked to edit it. Editing is one of my true passions, so to take this document and turn it into its full potential was really exciting for me.

It may have just been my favorite project all year. It's also for Chris Yura, so that may have a contributing factor.

I think Dusty was also happy with it, so I'm proud I did something I enjoy while also making my superiors happy.

This is my ninth week at the WVUBI, so my time is ending shortly. However, my time with this blog is ending now. I'm only required 10 posts, so this is my final. I'm glad I was able to reflect on what I've learned and do so on a deeper level. But until next time, blog, see ya.

Week Six - PR and Personal Days

Main Commons Area

On Tuesday, I was in Las Vegas for a newspaper awards ceremony, so I worked remotely for the WVU Business Incubator. My large assignment this week was to finish work on the press release.

I was able to get ahold of Chris Yura, founder of SustainU, and I got some insight as to what his opinions were on his lecture and what he hopes his audience received from it.

It's very enlightening to talk to a person so full of passion, they could just go on and on about this company they are so proud of. That is Chris. He is very excited about this cause he has devoted himself to, and it really shows.

This is the part I love about my job. Journalism has been and always will be my first love. Nothing makes for a better interview than when a person is so full of life and energy, they make me want to be a part of their cause, too. That takes talent, and their excitement rubs off on me in the form of the press release I write.

While I got a basic draft completed Tuesday, I devoted today to chatting with Chris to get a better perspective. He is a great public speaker, and I got some great quotes to use instead of the canned ones that have already been run through the PR machine.

I really like writing press releases. Not only are they easy because they are completely biased, but they are much more fluffy and feature-y. I'm able to get more creative and think of the people who are reading this. I can get into their mindset and think about what they want to hear - not what they should here. Besides that, they are fun topics. SustainU is basically saving the world, and I'm able to help spread that message.