Ekin Pehlivan. Courtesy photos.
CAMARILLO — The Pacific Coast Business Times has awarded CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Associate Professor of Marketing Ekin Pehlivan and Cynthia Sherman, Director of the University’s Entrepreneurship & Small Business Institute (ESBI) and Assistant Professor of Management, a 2021 Spirit of Small Business Advocate award.
The award was given in recognition of the pairs work in developing and implementing the Micro-Internship program. The program helped CSUCI students gain valuable job experience and local small businesses and nonprofits survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are honored to receive this award from the Pacific Coast Business Times that highlights the Micro-Internship Program. The program exhibits the potential for learning and great work from our students in support of small businesses. In this uncertain time, work that supports both student and business success provides an extraordinary opportunity for our community,” said Sherman.
The Micro-Internship program came to fruition as a way to give students both a source of income and hands-on, real-world work experience during a time when many were losing their part-time jobs and in-person internships were out of the question.
Offered through the ESBI of the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics, micro-internships differ from traditional internships in that teams of students work together remotely on specific projects. Much like freelancers, the students work on projects for real companies, but instead of reporting to an onsite company manager, they are supervised by Pehlivan.
The program was a boon to several local small businesses who needed marketing assistance such as creating an online presence for their operations during the pandemic.
Cynthia Sherman
Pehlivan and Sherman worked with Women’s Economic Ventures to identify the businesses and non-profits who needed assistance, including social media strategy, branding, and website development. The projects were supported by small fees or grant funding. Students were paid for their work during a time that service and retail jobs were evaporating.
The program is continuing during the 2021-2022 academic year.
“It is a win/win for both the businesses and the students,” Pehlivan said. “The students get hands-on, paid work experience they can highlight in their portfolios to help them land good paying jobs when they graduate. The businesses get marketing help they otherwise might not be able to afford.”
About California State University Channel Islands — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is reimagining higher education for a new generation and era. We are an innovative higher education institution that enables students to succeed and thrive – serving as an engine for social and economic vitality that provides the intellectual resources necessary for a thriving democracy. With more than 7,000 students, 1,200 employees and 14,000 alumni, CSUCI is poised to grow in size and distinction, while maintaining one of the most student-focused learning environments in public higher education. Connect with and learn more by visiting www.csuci.edu or CSUCI’s Social Media.
The University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs, events and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the respective area below as soon as possible, but no later than seven (7) business days prior to the event/activity:
CSUCI Students
Disability Accommodations & Support Services: accommodations@csuci.edu
CSUCI Employees
Human Resources: angela.portillo@csuci.edu
Members of the Public
Title IX & Inclusion: titleix@csuci.edu