With both of her parents in the business field, it just seemed natural for senior business major Erica Strong to take interest in her roots and follow in their footsteps.

Unlike other majors, business majors may choose the option of the hands-on experience of an internship. Strong wanted the chance to get out of the classroom and to experience things in a different way. An opportunity came up with Carol Hamilton who was an adjunct professor here last year. Strong is working part time under Hamilton with Valley Microenterprise Alliance, a non-profit organization begun in the summer of 1999.

Due to the small size and nature of the business, Strong has had many opportunities to be involved. The focus of the business is to help entrepreneurs get their businesses started. They offer services in training, technical assistance and lending programs. The lending program is Strong’s focus. She has spearheaded the effort to begin this program, co-ordinated "lending summits" for bankers and economic developers, drafted guidelines and applications for the lending process and has spoken to a Public Relations class at Mary Baldwin College concerning the business.

"They are doing good things for people. I feel privileged to be a part of that," said Strong, noting that the Alliance is not advertised as a Christian organization because they want to be open to people from all walks of life. "We want our influence to be through our actions."

The experience has opened her eyes to non-profit organizations. Strong said her business classes deal heavily with management, but less with small business and entrepreneurs.

This practicum is very different from those of other majors in the fact that it is part-time. Strong still has classes on campus and she is doing work-study with intramurals. A business practicum is "highly recommended" by the business department, but Strong says it is very difficult to incorporate.

Her advice to other students is to plan ahead and allow time for this experience. It may lead to a full-time job and it’s a great way to gain experience and build your resume.