When Fernando De La Sancha started at UW-Milwaukee in 2021, he knew he wanted to study marketing. What he didn’t know was how many opportunities awaited him at the Lubar College of Business.
A first-generation college student whose parents immigrated from Mexico, De La Sancha approached college with a simple mindset: make the most of opportunities they never had.
“I got to write my own story,” he said. “I had opportunities my parents didn’t have, so I wanted to make the most of them.”
That mindset led him to embrace nearly every opportunity that came his way, and to intentionally immerse in being outside of his comfort zone. De La Sancha completed seven internships, competed in the La Macchia New Venture Business Plan Competition, earned a certificate in entrepreneurship, and built a professional network that continues to shape his career.
Two internships through the La Macchia Internship Program, a signature Lubar experience, proved especially influential. Working directly with entrepreneurs and small businesses gave him firsthand experience with business ownership while reinforcing his passion for helping organizations grow.
His curiosity also led him beyond the classroom. Through networking events and connections across Milwaukee, De La Sancha discovered the power of relationship-building and economic development.
“While it is scary initially, it eventually becomes normal where you can feel confident stepping into new rooms and meeting new people and when you step out of your comfort zone, that’s where all new skills, relationships, and opportunities begin to develop,” he said. “I learned that everyone wanted to help students succeed.”
Those experiences helped launch his career. Shortly after graduating in December 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in marketing, he joined Visit Milwaukee as a partnership development specialist, helping connect local businesses with tourism opportunities.
Looking back, De La Sancha credits Lubar’s faculty, experiential learning opportunities, and professional network for helping him find his path.
“My advice to students is to take advantage of every opportunity,” he said. “As a student, your job is to learn. Walk into as many rooms as you can. You never know which opportunity will change your life.”