CITY MALL: College Student Painting His Way Through Muskego

One way college students can further their future career goals is to take on summer internships that prove their value as successful employees. 

Meet Adam Arnold, a UW-Madison student who’s using his summer to run his own branch of College Works Painting (CWP) in Muskego.  You may find Arnold knocking on your front door as he winds his way through Muskego subdivisions offering free painting estimates to homeowners. 

Arnold went through a rigorous interview process in November of 2010 to land his 2011 internship with CWP, a national painting contractor that helps local college students get their start.  This spring, he begins his internship by marketing his own team of painters here in Muskego.

“Our painters are trained and certified by Sherwin Williams,” Arnold said, "so homeowners get good quality work." (See before and after pictures in gallery, above.) Arnold is running his own branch in Muskego, so he will acquire hiring experience and manage three or four crews at a time. 

“I’m a big fan of entrepreneurship,” said Arnold, who is majoring in economics and graduates next May.  “There’s no limit to what you can earn,” he explained. 

As he also talks to homeowners each day to review progress on their job, he’ll be using many of his people skills, Arnold said. 

Arnold will offer potential clients a free estimate for upcoming projects, and will offer a 10% discount for scheduling a paint job when he delivers the estimate. (Contact Arnold at 262-389-4621.)  

Students interested in 2012 internships can contact General Manager Kyle Lindsey at (217)369-5171 or visit www.collegeworks.com.