University of Connecticut

Xavier Cole

I joined YEAA as a sophomore at UConn and had the opportunity to run a $63,000 business while profiting over $12,000 in one summer. This internship really taught me what it takes to succeed in the work force. Every day was a challenge and required me to focus on many different aspects of the business. From marketing, budgeting, sales, customer communication, I was able to truly call myself an entrepreneur after this process. It was amazing to be able to work with so many like minded business professionals. I am beyond thankful for the insight, experience, and skills that this internship was able to provide me. The experience really made me realize how essential
it is to crush goals, manage time, and taking full accountability as a leader. I look forward to continuing to develop as a person, leader, and professional while with this company.

Benjamin Steenkamp

I ran a business with Young Entrepreneurs as a freshman and sophomore at the University of Connecticut. Looking back, it was the best thing I could’ve possibly done. From Young Entrepreneurs I learned everything there is to know about running a business, including marketing, sales, and so much more. The network I was able to build and the leadership experience I received, as well as the variety of soft skills I learned, shaped me into an overall better working professional. The combined soft and hard skills you learn while doing this internship is unparalleled compared to any other internship out there; accompanied with the resume experience I gained, let me truly set myself far and beyond my peer group, opening myself up to so many incredible opportunities.

I am now going into my Junior year at UConn and will be working as a sales intern with Altria, a company currently listed 162 on the Fortune 500. If it weren’t for Young Entrepreneurs there is no chance I would have made it through even the first round of their interview process, and I honestly don’t know what my path would be. I can now safely say everything I go on to accomplish will be in no small part because of Young Entrepreneurs. I wouldn’t take my experience back for anything.