Western Nevada College marketing students honing skills at Adams Hub for Innovation in Carson City

Western Nevada College marketing students next week will work with professionals at the Adams Hub for Innovation in Carson City, getting real life business exposure.

Dr. Robert Whitcomb, who’s taking students from his Marketing Principles class to the business incubator for the second straight year, said he initiated the idea in 2014 because marketing can’t be taught in the classroom alone. “Many of our students haven’t worked with real professionals,” Whitcomb said. “It puts them in real settings and helps students start their own businesses. They need to be where the business is; you can’t just teach this in the classroom.”

Whitcomb said in a WNC release students are preparing marketing plans for businesses — among them firms for snow removal, home care, sports activities, animal shelters and horseback riding. The plans will be presented to Rob Griffin, Adams Hub executive director, and others, said Whitcomb. The others are Jeff Glass, director of New Entrepreneurs Network, and Miiya MacKenzie, Hop & Mae Adams’ Foundation Carson City chief officer.

Whitcomb said the students will complete their marketing plans after getting feedback at the Adams Hub. He also said the experience could lead students to other opportunities such as internships or employment.

“We’ve had some traction with this in the past,” he said, noting some students were hired due to their interest, experience and enthusiasm.