Graduate Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication (GCERT in TPC): Internship Reflection
Graduate Internship Focus: Creating a Business Plan
In considering what I wanted to do for my graduate internship, I decided to focus on tools that would help me establish a more detailed and refined approach to starting my own business. After careful thought, I determined that researching the components of a business plan would be the most beneficial step forward. From this idea, I developed a self-directed learning proposal and assignment aimed at creating a hybrid business plan that combines elements from both a start-up business plan and a strategic business plan format.
Researching the Business Plan Structure
While researching business plans, I identified a format that encompassed all the key elements I would need for a start-up. This included the problem and solution statement, the executive summary, a company overview, company name and branding elements, services offered, website navigation strategy, SMART Goals, SWOT analysis, market analysis, industry trends, a marketing plan, a bio, financial start-up costs, and freelance contract considerations. These components formed the foundation of my business plan, ensuring that all essential aspects of starting a business were covered.
Incorporating the Brand Book
In addition to the business plan, I wanted to create a brand book, something I had learned about and developed in a previous marketing class. The brand book serves as a visual complement to the business plan, reinforcing many of the same concepts. It helps establish and communicate brand identity clearly and cohesively. My brand book includes elements such as a business model canvas, a "Know Your Why" section, brand tone, a simplified SWOT analysis, brand visuals, a color palette, inspiration for a logo, brand personas, website goals, key pages on the website, and CMS template ideas. The brand book is designed to provide a well-rounded view of the brand, from conceptualization to execution.
Internship Proposal
A self-directed learning proposal focused on developing a refined approach to business planning through the creation of a hybrid business plan.
Final Business Plan
A comprehensive hybrid business plan that combines start-up and strategic planning elements, covering key aspects like market analysis, financial planning, and company branding.
Brand Book
A visual guide that complements the business plan, defining the brand's identity with key elements like tone, visuals, and website goals for cohesive brand communication.
Reflection on the Project and Future Planning
This project has been incredibly inspiring and valuable, as it holds intrinsic value for my future career. It allowed me to apply my technical writing and research skills in a meaningful way. I particularly enjoyed researching my direct competitors in Albuquerque, NM, and developing the brand book, which involved choosing the color scheme and designing the logo.
Next Steps: Content Outline and Website Production
There is still some work left to complete Phase 1 of my start-up business, which includes finalizing the content outline for the website and transitioning it into a live production website. Now that I have laid the foundation, I do not anticipate this part of the project to be particularly challenging. One of the main reasons I truly appreciated the opportunity for this self-directed learning project is that it propelled me to take the next step in planning for my future career, giving me a solid roadmap to move forward.