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Andrew Parker was selected for a highly competitive College Works Painting internship. The program puts students at the helm of a small business for a single summer.

Andrew Parker may only be one year removed from Peters Township High School, but that isn't keeping this young entrepreneur from running his own business.

Andrew, a 2016 PTHS graduate, is a freshman engineering student at the University of Pittsburgh. This spring, he'll be extending his learning beyond the classroom with some real-world experience, thanks to a highly selective internship with College Works Painting.

Andrew was one of roughly 2,000 interns across 32 states hired this year to manage a team of young painters, marketers and other employees operating in the South Hills. The company provides its college interns with painting supplies, a budget and extensive mentoring, then steps back as the student takes charge of building revenue, controlling costs and maintaining all other aspects of a small exterior and interior painting business.

“Through this internship, I am looking learn time management and leadership skills in a challenging, but rewarding environment. These skills will extend beyond the internship as well, and I hope to use them in every aspect of my life." Parker said.

Although the painting season doesn't start until June, Andrew already has his hands full scouting out potential clients, hiring his team and setting business initiatives in motion.
College Works, a for-profit company, takes a portion of the earnings from each home painted, but compensates its interns over the course of the summer—in addition to the up-front investment the company makes in supplies, training and mentoring. Interns are mentored at each step of the way by someone who has successfully completed the program.

For Andrew, who is interested in a career in engineering and product development, the internship was an opportunity to branch out and pick up new skills. Even more important for the PTHS grad, however, was the opportunity to meet new people.

"One aspect I’m looking forward is expanding my network by having a solid base of satisfied clients." Andrew said. "Customer service is everything to me because at the end of the day, a happy customer lets me know that I’m doing something right."

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