La Macchia Entrepreneur Internship Program

At the Lubar College of Business, the unique La Macchia Entrepreneur Internship Program connects students with active entrepreneurs who provide insights into their businesses and let them “roll up their sleeves” on real-world projects. Projects may include creating strategic business plans to launch a new product or service, running financial projections, conducting market research, or perhaps creating marketing content.

What Can a Student Expect?

• 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.
• 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
• The 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.

Who is Eligible?

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.

How to Apply?

The program application opens through Handshake in mid-June for the fall semester and early November for the spring semester. Position descriptions are available at least 4-6 weeks before the start of each semester. After submitting a resume in Handshake, eligible students will be asked additional questions regarding their experiences and interests. Select candidates will be interviewed by prospective employer(s) who make the final hiring decision.

For the Spring 2026 semester, the application is now open – apply by Dec. 14, 2025!

Here are some of the companies who’ve hired entrepreneur interns recently: