While other students may have exhausted their spring break days partying or getting a tan, David Streitfeld spent his time differently – by painting a house.

Streitfeld, a pre-business freshman, is part of a 5-month summer internship program with College Works Painting that gives students an opportunity to learn leadership skills through hands-on business ownership.

As part of the program, students head one of CWP’s local branches and are in charge of everything from marketing to buying materials.

“”We really get to experience the whole company,”” Streitfeld said. “”I’ve had the college job. This I feel is a little more relevant to the life I want to live later on.””

Along with experience, students like Streitfeld also have the opportunity to earn some major cash.

The exact amount is based on the number of estimates students complete and the number of painting jobs they book for the summer.

Students are given some money ahead of time in order to buy materials and employ painters – who Streitfeld said he is hoping to hire from local high schools as well as the UA.

A portion of the students’ profits go to CWP for providing the training and materials, but after paying off their credit, the students keep the rest.

“”By this summer I hope to have about $40,000,”” Streitfeld said. “”My end goal is to get about $100,000.””

Josh Daniels, vice president of the Arizona division of CWP, has full confidence that Streitfeld will meet his goals.

“”David will probably end up being one of our top managers,”” said Daniels, who started with the program in Portland, Ore., in the spring of 2002, but continued in order to give students like himself what he calls an “”awesome opportunity.””

A student’s experience coming out of college, Daniels said, is extremely important from a hiring standpoint. Streitfeld is hoping to gain experience from his work.

“”In the end, it doesn’t have to be about the money at all,”” said Streitfeld. “”It’s about the experience.””

After learning of the opportunity in a class, Streitfeld began CWP’s “”very competitive”” interview process in January.

“”(CWP) starts with a couple hundred students and winds it down to the 20 to 30 they end up hiring,”” said Streitfeld.

After being hired, he and a few other Tucson interns began an intense training regimen that culminated with the physical endeavor of painting an entire house during spring break.

Through spring, Streitfeld will continue making estimates and booking jobs, which consists mainly of door-to-door sales. This summer, CWP will become his full-time job.

For free estimates or employment information, contact Streitfeld at (520) 471-2021 or dstreitfeld02@collegeworks.com.