Internship lets students manage themselves

Entrepreneurship can only be taught in the classroom to a certain point. Beyond that point, it is necessary to draw upon real work experience from internships in order to better understand the principles of business management and operation.

Since 1971, College Pro Painters (CPP) has been giving students around the nation the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship without the risk of starting their own business. During the summer months, CPP paints houses throughout the United States and into Canada. What makes this painting company different from others is that every manager, or franchisee, is a full-time college student.

At UIC, there are five students that will be returning or starting as franchisees this summer. UIC has recently acknowledged CPP as an accredited internship with the College of Business, which allows students to receive credit for their work with CPP.

Students who work as franchisees with CPP have complete control of the branch they are given to work with. Franchisees supervise every project, making sure it is completed correctly. Each branch consists of between eight to 12 painters alongside the franchisee.

Marcel Krawczyk, fourth-year entrepreneurship major, is one of the five current franchisees that are enrolled with UIC. Krawczyk has worked with CPP since 2006 with his branch located in Western Springs, Ill..

"The title alone sets a mindset that this is your business. The position of franchisee instills ownership of every aspect of the business," said Krawczyk.

Krawczyk did not always envision himself in the area of business. He started off as a Computer Science major but after spending two years interning with Motorola, he found himself steering away from that field.

"I realized I have a strong distaste for cubicles. At this point I also realized that to be a software engineer in the corporate world required a specific lifestyle that I did not want to be bound to," said Krawczyk.

What makes CPP so accessible to college students around the nation is the availability of positions to any student. Positions are open to students of all colleges and programs but business students have a distinct advantage.

Students are looking at internships not only for work experience but also for possible lifetime careers. Companies like CPP offer students not only the work experience they want for their résumés but also opportunity for future jobs.

Casey Clark, a fourth-year student at UIC, took what he learned from CPP and used it to his advantage. Clark has been working with CPP for the past three years as a franchisee and recently has been promoted to Field Advisor.

As a Field Advisor, Clark looks over 10 other franchisees along with his own branch in Glen Ellyn, Ill. Clark obtained this position with his outstanding attitude and sales. Last year, Clark ran the second largest franchise in the United States, producing $268,000 in sales.

In order for students to get any benefits from CPP, they must put in hard work and dedication to their franchise. Being able to run your own company, regardless of the help from your superiors, is no easy task for anyone. Wealth from investments can only take a new company so far.

"Nothing can have a greater impact in business and in life than the time investment into people," said Krawczyk.

For more information on College Pro Painters, visit their website at www.collegepro.com.