What started as a summer pilot program has flourished into a year round course with Greene County High School.

The Small Business Social Media Internship program started this past summer with three high school students working with six local businesses and a Greene County Community Foundation grant with Jefferson Matters: A Main Street and Chamber Community, and Retail Revamped. The program connects high school students to businesses to help the businesses improve their social media presence. 

Bonnie Silbaugh is with Retail Revamped and was one of the inaugural businesses with the internship program. She talks about what she learned as a business owner.

“One of the things was how much editing on a photo that you can do right from your cell phone, right from an iPad. You can take really nice pictures just by switching a couple of techniques. The other thing is just remembering not to be so scared of social media. These kids are super comfortable. They’re not going to mess it up, they are going to show you that you can be comfortable. You’re not going to mess it up beyond repair either.”

The second round of the program involves six students who are with Ram Fanatics from the high school that are paired with six businesses, including Gretah Johnson with More Time, Kaydi Newby with Shine On, Esther Van Horn with The Stitch, Katrina Heupel with Jefferson Telecom, Natalie Heupel with Retail Revamped and Jessamae Strennen with Fudges Flowers and Gifts.  Ram Fanatics Instructor Kelley Gray is excited and thankful to the businesses that have committed to working with the students and invites any other businesses that want to be a part of the third round of the program to contact the high school.