Sheldon Kenworth

Sheldon Kenworth grew up in a small midwestern town outside of Chicago in the beginning of the 20th century. His father died when he was only eight. Being the oldest boy at home, he left school and went out to work at age 10. Between his paltry salary and his mother's earnings as a seamstress, the family managed to eak out a meager livelihood. Needless to say, their standard of living was far from luxurious, and Sheldon never dreamed of finishing school or attending college.

Around the age of 15 Sheldon was offered an apprenticeship with a large steel manufacturer. After a few years as an apprentice, Sheldon set out to start his own steel manufacturing company. The success of his new company took off as the demand for steel rose dramatically. Within a few years, Sheldon had amassed great wealth.

With the street starts that befit a 25 year old millionaire, Sheldon expanded his business, eventually forming the large corporation that supplies much of the steel in the midwest today.

When asked about his unlikely financial success, Sheldon always gives credit to his original apprenticeship. "I never attended university; I never heard any lectures designed to imbibe me with a sharp business acumen... I just worked side by side with someone who had far more experience than I. That was enough education for me. I took those skills and was able to go from there."

Sheldon felt very strongly that in order for future businessmen to succeed, a good internship experience is imperative. With that in mind, he initiated the Kenworth Enterprise Internship Program.

His program is unique in that it welcomes young graduates into the fast-paced business world, occupying them with the work of highly experienced professionals. At the same time, it provides a support network of 'mentors' - the senior employees - as well as a veritable community of other interns. This environment fosters confidence in the inexperienced amateurs, while at the same time leaving them room to make mistakes and ask questions. The proverbial experience of being thrown in the water and told to swim, yet the swimming instructor is in the office next door.

Though Sheldon did not live to see his Internship Program flourish into the sizeable enterprise that it is today, his motto of 'Just do it. That's how you learn.' is echoed in the success of all the interns that participate.