Spotlight on Kaitlyn Srey, CAYLA Intern

The City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy Celebrates It’s 10^th Year

My name is Kaitlyn Srey, and I am an Intern with the City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy working with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce this Summer. I’m a rising senior at Clyde A. Erwin High School. My goal is to graduate college and walk through any doors that open into the hospitality industry. When I was told I would be working at the Chamber of Commerce, I didn’t know what to expect. So, I prepared myself for the mountain high stacks of paperwork. My first week at the Chamber, I worked with the membership department. During this week, membership had an event called WomanUp. My week consisted of researching, preparation, networking and, some paperwork. While working with finance in the second week of the internship, I did get a few papercuts. Finance is what keeps this place spinning. At the halfway mark, I’m with the economic department. While working with this department I’ve done a ton of research and have been to a few meetings on new plans and relocations. I will be working with the visitors bureau later this summer and get another new learning experience.  

The Chamber's mission statement is, “Building Community Through Business.” Building community through business is something Asheville brings to the table unlike any other city. With our rapid population growth of millennials in our area, businesses should consider relocating or expanding to Asheville. Something I learned with economic development is that there are so many factors that are taken into consideration when they are relocating or expanding their company. Working with economic development has been the most educational so far. The combination between big businesses and local businesses that employ a great number of the Asheville metro is what makes our community. Heidi, the one behind all of the research, really fascinated me when I discovered that every one hundred people employed creates two hundred and twenty two more jobs. Clark described this as a ripple effect. The Chamber works hard to keep the workforce balanced between industries, because if we didn’t, it could have a toll on our society.

While working at the Chamber, it has made me realize what a great city Asheville is. My vision is to own a hotel and place it right here in Asheville. This internship has taught me to make eye contact, dress appropriately, stay engaged to conversations, and that work isn’t always gonna be fun. Now that I’ve got a taste of working at the Chamber, I’m happy to say I wouldn’t want to have worked anywhere else.   

The City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA) is committed to providing its students with a) a meaningful summer work experience, b) leadership development through seminars and community service, and c) college preparatory activities, including yearlong academic support. Since its inception in 2007, CAYLA has been nationally-recognized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. In 2011, CAYLA was honored with the North Carolina Governor's Award for Volunteer Service.

CAYLA intern Asia Porter reflects on an enjoyable experience

Asia Porter, intern with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce through the City of Asheville Youth League Association, took a moment recently to reflect on her summer experience. 

"The week of July 30th - August 3rd marks my last week interning at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. I had a blast working in each department and understanding how everybody's job contributed to the Chamber. I walked into this experience with an open mind and an open heart so I wasn't left disappointed. 

"My favorite part about this job was being of great assistance to everybody, especially Tonya in Finance and Operations. The week I was assigned to work with her, the Chamber was closing their fiscal year. I helped her organized files and send out invoices and billing statements. I plan to come back and help her throughout the next couple of months. 

"Economic Development was my favorite department. I enjoyed working with Jess & Laura. They were extremely friendly, and we formed an instant bond. Membership was the friendliest department. I loved seeing how they interact with the members and how they check on them to make sure that all their needs are met. The Convention & Visitors Bureau was the most creative area. I was able to attend meetings in which they talked about their latest projects and the exploreasheville.com mobile site. Their efforts to reach out are bound to receive positive responses! Working with Charlie and Elaine in the Visitor Center was awesome because they are so amazing; they make sure all the visitors find what they need, and are satisfied and comfortable.  Last, but certainly not least, in Public Policy, Jeff & Laura are some very smart individuals. Even though it's just the two of them they get a lot of work done. 

"I truly enjoyed my internship at the Chamber; this is by far the best job experience ever."

Cayla Intern works with Economic Development

In my second week interning at the Chamber of Commerce in the Asheville area, I became a member of the economic development team. Working in this department I was able to sit in on important meetings regarding important issues. I became familiar with a non-profit organization called Handmade in America . I've learned that this organization supports and promote local artists. I was surprised to see that beautiful, extravagant art work is being produced in my home town. I also had the pleasure of talking to the Chairman of the Economic Development Coalition (EDC), Buncombe County Commissioner K.Ray Bailey & ARRA Project Manager Brenda G. Mills. They are both powerful people, who gave the me some of the best advice about school and life in general. Clark Duncan, Director of Marketing for the EDC, and I also had lunch with an owner of a software company, who is considering moving his business to the area. Thus far, I am loving the Chamber. I am thrilled to see what the other departments have in store. 

- Asia Porter (CAYLA Intern)

CAYLA is a youth leadership program through the City of Asheville that helps teenagers build leadership and give back to the community. 

CAYLA intern joins the Chamber

CAYLA is a youth leadership program through the City of Asheville that helps teenagers build leadership and give back to the community. We have 30 participants who are high school students who are leaders in the community.  CAYLA is a year-long commitment with a 7.5-week internship with local businesses. I am one of the 30 CAYLA participants this year and am interning at the Chamber of Commerce.

During my first week interning at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, I have learned more about Asheville as a whole and more in depth about the business environment.  When I first walked into the doors of the Chamber, I had this idea that the Chamber was a place where visitors come find directions or learn about the history of the city. The perception that I first possessed wasn’t even the halves of what the Chamber is all about. The work environment is very warm and welcoming, reminding me of Asheville in a building. My first week consisted of ribbon cuttings, business calls, business before hours, as well as the benefits of becoming a member of the Chamber. Also, the Chamber of Commerce had their annual meeting, that I was excited to be a part of. I was very much fortunate to be in the presence of “Asheville’s Finest Business People.” I look forward to learning more about the Chamber, and experiencing the different roles of each department. I am also eager to become more familiar with small businesses that help form the city of Asheville. The journey begins here. 

- Asia Porter (CAYLA Intern)

Chamber Hosts CAYLA Intern Keevon Baten

Hello I’m Keevon Baten. I am interning for the summer at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce as part of the City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA). I am a rising senior at the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA). I have enjoyed interning at the Asheville Area Chamber so far and look forward to an eventful and fulfilling internship.

The first week of my internship has been a great experience. On my first day, at the chamber I was greeted by Clark Duncan, the Director of Business and Industry Services at the Chamber. Mr. Duncan has served as my supervisor and friend while at the Chamber. My first couple of days were spent with the Economic Development department of the Chamber. On Monday I was introduced to the staff at the Chamber and given a tour. I also had lunch with Benjamin Teague, Senior Vice President for Economic Development, and Rick Lutovsky, the President of the Chamber. I enjoyed having lunch with them and learned a lot of valuable life lessons from them. On Tuesday I meet with County Commission Ray Bailey. Mr. Bailey is a great man and I benefitted a lot from our talk on leadership. On Wednesday morning I sat in on a meeting between Ray Denny, Vice President of Economic Development, and representatives from Ward and Smith, P.A. Later that evening I went on a tour of the AvL Technologies and learned more about engineering, which is a possible major in college I’m considering. On Thursday I spent the day with Membership Services and Communications Department of the Chamber and I helped to setup and run the monthly Business-After hours, which were held on Antler Hill Village in the Biltmore Estate.

I’ve really enjoyed my experience at the chamber thus far. The people here are very friendly and make me feel at home. In my past three years of doing CAYLA internships, this has been the most enjoyable and fulfilling internship for me. In my short experience at the chamber the one lesson I feel like I’ve learned is the importance of making lasting good relationships.