Carolyn Brooks

I began my journey with Young Entrepreneurs during my freshman year at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Cate Latting, a student executive at the time, came into my physics lecture in February of 2020 and announced an internship opportunity: run your own business, and earn around $15,000 over the course of a summer. I thought it sounded too good to be true, but I put my name and number down on her clipboard anyway wanting to learn more. Later that evening I received a phone call, which led to an information session, then an interview, and soon enough I was running my own profitable business! I was hungry for a challenge, something that would set me apart from all the other students, as I would be graduating from the same major, with the same grades, applying for the same jobs as all the other students in my class. Now, three years later, I am a student executive myself, and I couldn't be happier to have the opportunity. My first year as a branch manager I worked out of Tyngsboro, MA, produced $80,000, personally earned $16,000, and employed 15 students over the course of the summer. I led my team of painters full-time, and learned accountability, marketing and sales, leadership skills, and got to network with an amazing group of like-minded, hardworking achievers who I now consider family. The culture of the company and the opportunities YEAA provides are truly so outstanding. Between the support and mentorship and belief that they put into you, and the value of experiential learning, this internship is unmatched. I am excited to be returning as an executive and have the chance to coach other students who want to grow personally and professionally, challenge themselves, and set themselves apart.