The ENtern Program

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The ENtern Entrepreneurship Intern Program

Real Startups. Real Experience. Real Impact.

The ENtern Entrepreneurship Intern Program—offered by the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program in Penn State’s College of Engineering—gives students the chance to gain hands-on experience in real startup environments. If you're passionate about entrepreneurship, product innovation, or startup culture, this paid internship is your launchpad.

Why Join ENtern?

    • Work with Real Startups: Collaborate with early-stage ventures participating in programs like Happy Valley LaunchBox’s FastTrack Accelerator, Invent Penn State’s Summer Founders, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, and more.

    • Gain Entrepreneurial Experience: Dive into marketing, product development, sales, finance, and leadership alongside founders tackling real challenges.

    • Build Your Resume & Network: Stand out with unique experience that showcases initiative, adaptability, and innovation.

  • Earn While You Learn: ENterns receive a financial award for completing 150 hours of work with their assigned startup.

1. Eligibility

  • Must be enrolled in or have completed ENG 310: Entrepreneurial Leadership

  • Ideally, you’ve declared the Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ENTI) Minor  or the Product Innovation Entrepreneurship Certificate, available to any Penn State student

2. Apply & Get Onboarded

  • Choose a startup from the curated list of open positions

  • Collaborate with your sponsor to schedule your 150 internship hours

3. Earn Your Award

  • Submit a one-page learning reflection at the halfway point and again at the end of your internship

  • Include your time log, and your award will be processed

Yes, this is a paid opportunity for students. ENterns receive an award from the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program for their 150 hours helping a startup. Provide the Engineering Entrepreneurship program with a one page report on what you have learned through your experience at the halfway point and the end point along with your time log, and the award is processed.

This program is designed to support both students and startups. You gain invaluable insight into the startup world, while founders benefit from your fresh perspective and energy. Whether you’re launching your own business or exploring entrepreneurial career paths, ENtern equips you with real-world experience that truly counts.

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Classes Offered

Start with ENGR 310

ENGR 310 is our introductory class for the minor or certificate. It’s open to all students in any major from first years to seniors. Try this class as an elective for several majors or as a tech elective in engineering. Did you love ENGR 310? Next consider the ENTI Minor or E-Ship Certificate!

ENTI Minor Tech-Based Cluster

For the ENTI minor, take MGMT 215 and pick the Tech-based or Product Innovation Cluster where we teach you how to build and launch real products, whether hardware, software or service. All six classes below are required for the minor.

Product Innovation Entrepreneurship Certificate

Don’t have space for the full minor? Complete the Product Innovation Entrepreneurship with only three classes: Take ENGR 411 and two of: ENGR 310, ENGR 407, ENGR 415.

Tech-based Classes

Explore our suite of features designed to streamline your operations, drive sales, and enhance customer satisfaction.

ENGR 310

Entrepreneurial Leadership: Develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills using collaborative, problem-based projects, with students from all University colleges working in teams. Start two businesses in the class!

MGMT 215

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Learn to think like an entrepreneur in the broader context of social entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, creative problem solving, opportunity recognition, and innovation.

ENGR 407

Technology-Based Entrepreneurship: Develop skills and knowledge and learn to deal with ambiguity through practical entrepreneurial experiences. One of the most unique classes at Penn State. Sign up early, it’s always full!

ENGR 411

Business Fundamentals for Entrepreneurs: Learn business fundamentals with a start-up perspective from experienced entrepreneurs. It’s an MBA for entrepreneurs in a semester.

ENGR 415

Technology Launch for Entrepreneurs: Develop business plans for both an existing company of your choice as an intrapreneurial product manager and your own business as an entrepreneur. Learn the characteristics of an intrapreneurial company and learn about the company you want to work for!

ENGR 425

New Venture Creation: Develop skills that are of high value in any workplace: leadership skills, self-efficacy, creativity and the ability to deal with ambiguity. Attain a working knowledge of traditional and non-traditional ways for identifying a new product or business opportunity, quantifying the potential, understanding the key competitive factors, researching the audience, and producing a convincing plan for financing and launch.