Entrepreneurship & Marketing Intern

The Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce (MLCIC), in partnership with Texas Internship Initiative, is happy to announce entrepreneurship-focused internships. These seasonal internships are designed to develop the essential skills, assets, and training needed to expand students' entrepreneurial knowledge and better prepare them to enter the workforce. Through these practical experiences, students will learn about entrepreneurship, develop highly coveted skills employers seek in new college graduates, and gain real-world experience all while earning a livable wage of $20/hr. Your application for this position was made possible through this partnership!

Target Cohort: Final-year undergraduate seniors and final-year graduate students enrolled full-time at The University of Texas at El Paso.
Field of Study: Must be pursuing a degree directly related to the specific internship role.
Eligibility: Must possess valid U.S. work authorization (excludes F-1 Visa status).

Partner Company: CREO & CO.

Job Summary:

This internship is designed to provide a UTEP student with hands-on, real-world experience in entrepreneurship, marketing strategy, and operational systems. This role supports CREO & CO. and mission-driven organizations by integrating customer research, marketing, AI-driven innovation, and grant readiness into practical business applications.

Key Responsibilities (Entrepreneurial Focus Areas):

Customer Research & Regional Market Insight

Support customer discovery, audience analysis, and feedback synthesis to inform product and organizational strategy. Analyze market trends and competitor activity to help identify opportunities and inform positioning.

Social Media & Campaign Execution

Assist in the development and execution of social media campaigns that increase brand awareness, engagement, and growth. Support messaging, newsletters, and outreach initiatives across digital channels, including email, social media, and web platforms.

Digital Marketing & Performance Analysis

Contribute to the planning and execution of digital marketing efforts (SEO/SEM, email, social media, and content campaigns). Track performance using KPIs, support reporting, and recommend adjustments to improve effectiveness.

AI & Innovation for Startups

Explore, test, and apply AI tools to enhance research, content development, marketing workflows, and social media efficiency. Support innovation-driven solutions that help startups scale smarter.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Operations

Collaborate with internal teams and partners to align marketing efforts with broader organizational goals. Support internal systems, documentation, and project coordination across multiple initiatives.

Leadership Exposure & Professional Development

Assist with the coordination and support of project contributors or student collaborators when applicable, gaining exposure to goal-setting, performance tracking, and team communication in a professional environment.

Required / Preferred Qualifications:

Interest in marketing, strategy, entrepreneurship, or business operations

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Comfort with research, organization, and learning new tools

Familiarity with digital platforms (email, social media, web tools) is a plus, but not required

Curiosity, accountability, and willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment

Internship Timeline & Hours:

Total required internship hours: 240 hours

All hours must be completed

Scheduling is flexible to accommodate academic commitments

Compensation Structure:

Minimum paid hours required by employer: 120 hours

Hourly rate: $20 per hour

Employer may exceed 120 paid hours at their discretion

Documentation of hours worked beyond 85 hours is not required to be reported to WSB

Learning Outcomes = Skills & Competencies:

Apply customer research to inform marketing and startup strategy

Use AI tools to support research, content, and operational workflows

Understand the basics of grant research and funding readiness

Connect marketing strategy to operational systems and execution

Develop professional communication and analytical skills

What You’ll Gain = Experience, Access & Environment:

Flexible, student-centered scheduling

Direct mentorship and founder access

Exposure to Creo & Co.’s cross-sector network of entrepreneurs, startups, nonprofit leaders, and public-sector partners

Portfolio-ready work with real-world application

Insight into how strategy decisions are made in real organizations

Strong reference and recommendation potential

Opportunities to observe or support client meetings, partnerships, or ecosystem initiatives when appropriate.

Ideal Candidate:

This role is ideal for students interested in entrepreneurship, marketing, strategy, innovation, or business operations. Candidates should be curious, organized, and eager to learn. Strong communication skills and an interest in problem-solving are essential. Prior experience is helpful but not required.

Program Compliance Note:

This internship structure is designed to comply with the workforce and academic program requirements, including WSB guidelines, while ensuring students receive meaningful, paid professional experience.