CU-Boulder students use internships for entrepreneurs opportunities.

By Whitney Bryen
Posted: 06/15/2011 10:43:22 PM MDT

While most students are spending their summer getting coffee, answering phones and filing papers, University of Colorado junior Kyle Ambler is running his own business.

Ambler, a self-proclaimed entrepreneur, is hoping to start a business after he graduates -- so he wasn't willing to settle for a typical internship this summer.

"From what I know about other internships, the work you're doing isn't that beneficial," Ambler said. "A lot of times you're doing busy work. I wanted more of a leadership role."

Ambler is working as an intern, managing his own house painting business for College Works Painting, with the training and support from the company.

Besides a few training courses, Ambler said he is responsible for marketing, hiring and managing his own painting business.

"It definitely feels like a test run to starting my own business," Ambler said. "It's like training wheels. I can't fall too far since I'm not risking my own money."

Ambler and 15 other students in Boulder are learning the ins and outs of managing time, expenses and personnel, while getting paid an hourly rate (with additional compensation for sales).

Lisa Severy, director of Career Services at CU, said the school does not offer network marketing operations jobs, such as College Works Painting, because of the inconsistent nature of the positions.

"Some students have a great deal of success with these types of opportunities," Severy said. Although, "some students put in a great deal of time and effort and actually make very little money, or end up owing the organization at the end of the experience."

Book sales, knife sales and cosmetic sales companies often offer similar positions, allowing students to run their own businesses, but often relying on commission-based salaries. Severy said this might not always be convenient for tight student budgets.

"When students come to us to ask advice about these types of opportunities, we recommend that they thoroughly examine all paperwork before they sign -- and even consider having things reviewed by Student Legal Services," Severy said. "They should also carefully plan out a budget, including both hours and expenses, to make sure they feel comfortable with the numbers."

Ambler said he's aware of the financial risks of the job, relying heavily on sales for his income, but the learning experience is worth it.

Grant Tallmadge, district manager for College Works Painting, said the hands-on experience is unique to these internships.

"This is much more responsibility because it's up to the interns to do the sales and promotion for their business," Tallmadge said. "It's a lot more hands on. They're handling every aspect of their business, start to finish."

Ambler said he's planning on starting his own business next year.

"I am already learning so much just in the first few weeks," Ambler said. "But, the most important thing is I'm learning to sell myself. That's going to be a big part of owning my own business, when I have to sell my personality and my idea to investors."