It hasn't been difficult to see the economic upheaval that the COVID-19 pandemic's caused over the past 12 months.

While some industries — such as hospitality — have waned, other industries — such as home improvement — have flourished.

Patrick Roach, a 2018 Mars Area High School graduate attending Ohio University, won't be sitting back to see how things play out.

Instead, he's participating in an internship with Young Entrepreneurs Across America, which teaches students about managing a small business.

“Growing up, I was always surrounded by entrepreneurial minds who were always bouncing new ideas around,” Roach said. “Heading into this summer, I wanted to find an internship that I knew would be just as active, even through the pandemic.”

Roach is pre-law and studying finance and business analytics. As a sophomore, he also is in Ohio University's honors college and minoring in real estate.

Roach said he worked for his father, Jim Roach, at Wexford Contracting while in high school.

Roach said his father started Wexford Contracting “from the ground up,” something Roach grew up admiring.

“This inevitably lit the entrepreneurial spark inside of me,” Roach said. “I started thinking similarly.”

When Roach met a fellow student last fall who participated in a summer internship with Young Entrepreneurs Across America, he began considering applying for an internship.

“She spoke very highly of the internship,” Roach said. “(She) said that it was a great experience with excellent mentors to help along the way.”

Roach is slated to run the Pittsburgh branch of Student Painters.

Student Painters gives Young Entrepreneurs Across America college interns an opportunity to experience firsthand entrepreneurship in the exterior painting industry.

Roach's job will be to hire employees, find customers and ensure jobs are completed safely and efficiently.

“I will also be painting with my employees,” Roach said. “Leading by example is always necessary.”

Roach said being in a position where he can control things such as financial standing and employment provides him with a level of assurance as he prepares to open the business.

Outdoor painting is a good place to start, according to Roach. It seems to fall under the category of “pandemic proof,” like other contracting industries.

“Insinuating that with proper safety precautions, there will still be plenty of work,” Roach said.

Opening the painting business is fast approaching for Roach, who meets regularly with a Student Painters mentor.

Roach is focusing on marketing and scheduling jobs. He said Young Entrepreneurs Across America continues to be a resource for questions, tips and support.

There are a few things Roach hopes to achieve while running Student Painters. One of those is community impact.

“I've lived in the same house in Mars for my entire life,” Roach said. “Between Mars and Cranberry, I am hoping to leave a positive impact on the community in any way I can.”

Roach also hopes to help those he employs and works with to learn business skills. He wants customers to be satisfied — and impressed — with their work.

Ultimately, Roach knows success isn't a solo achievement. His advice to anyone with aspirations is to not try doing everything alone.

“We all know that we can do it if we set our minds to it,” Roach said. “But in that process, don't be afraid to ask for some help, accept that help and be sure to return that help in the future.”