La Macchia Entrepreneur Internship Program

shppLa Macchia Entrepreneur Internship Program

Sheldon B. Lubar College of Business

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

The UW-Milwaukee La Macchia Entrepreneur Internship Program (LEIP) is a unique internship opportunity designed to give junior, senior, and master students hands-on, real-world experience with an entrepreneur while earning three academic credits and an internship wage. Projects may include creating strategic business plans to launch a new product or grow the business, running financial projections, improving HR procedures, conducting market research or perhaps creating marketing content.

Who is Eligible? 

Required

UWM junior, senior, or master students who have an interest in entrepreneurship. Interns must have competence in financial analysis, information systems, or marketing, and a strong scholastic record. Students must be a business major and/or minor.

Preferred

Students who are enrolled in or have completed Bus Adm 447 Entrepreneurship course will be given preference in the selection process. The ideal candidate shows entrepreneurial spirit, curiosity to learn, drive, self-motivation, effective communication, and creativity.

What Can a Student Expect from the Internship?

• Work closely with an entrepreneur and be exposed to the dynamics of running a business. 
• Work 225 hours over the Spring semester, usually about 15-16 hours per week. 
• Be matched with a local entrepreneur from the surrounding Milwaukee area. Reliable transportation is required for in-person locations further away from campus. Hybrid work may be possible.
• Earn $20/hour, which totals $4500 (before taxes).
• Earn 3 academic credits. Undergraduate interns must enroll in Bus Adm 490 (Entrepreneurship Internship) and graduate student interns must enroll in Bus Adm 799 (Reading & Research). Enrollment occurs upon acceptance into the program. This course typically meets monthly on Mondays at 3:30pm.  
• Interns meet regularly with a UWM faculty member who monitors the progress of the internship. For the course, interns will be required to:
  • attend at least two presentations by local entrepreneurs
  • present an overview of your internship experience and lesson learned
  • complete any additional assignments required by the faculty member
• This internship counts as “on-campus employment.”
• Gain a variety of Panther Edge Competencies including:
  • Critical thinking: Analyze and evaluate information to create solutions for business improvements.
  • Communication: Effectively communicate progress with projects to entrepreneur employer.
  • Collaboration: Offer ideas and listen to feedback while collaborating on new business strategies.

What businesses are participating?

Up to 10 students will be selected for 10 businesses. A few examples of businesses participating in Spring include Xiogenix & Ardent, Chillwaukee, Conovate, ConsortiEX, Ember Social, Joy Ice Cream Social, Matmetrix, Rapid Radicals, and Out & About Transportation. Some specific position descriptions will be shared in the application survey. 

How To Apply for the Internship Program?

• Apply by Sunday, Dec 14th, 11:59pm.
• Make sure you (1) Submit your resume on Handshake and (2) complete the survey about your academic background and why you are interested in this program. The survey will be sent out starting in mid-November to those who submit their resume.

What is the Selection Process? 

• Applications and survey responses will be reviewed by a committee after the application deadline.
• Selected students will be invited to interview around early January with prospective employers/entrepreneurs who will make the final hiring decisions by mid-January.

Questions?

Contact the SET Lubar Career Center in Lubar Hall N203

By phone (414) 229-5445 or e-mail get-experience@uwm.edu