Google up "College Pro." If you did, you might've found this story. But you also might've noticed that "College Pro scam" is listed under common search queries. Thing is, we've met oodles of people who've worked summer jobs with College Pro—so, where does the "scam" aspect come from?
We asked Dave Leveque, College Pro's business manager, to clear up the fuss. Or fess up.
"It's important to properly research [jobs] and determine that the position you're taking is legitimate," he says.
And is College Pro legit? And if so, what's up with Google condemning 'em? Are they secretly run by ex-Nigerian princes? Or sketchy knife salespeople? (Here's looking at you, CutCo.) Or Craigslist bandits?
"It is, of course, an initial red flag when looking at the program, making it even more important to understand what it's all about," he says. "The College Pro reviews [that call it a scam] read this way because it can sound too good to be true."
Too good to be true, huh? So, what's College Pro offering — wholesale iPads at cut-rate prices? Nope. "We're a place where you could get all the experience you'd ever want, and potentially make great money," he says. "That's not readily available to most college students.”
"Many students search long and hard to find something, and, unfortunately, some of the legitimate opportunities, like College Pro, are labelled scams. It may deter students from something that could have a massive positive impact on their future."
And here's why there isn’t a College Pro Painters scam: No one ever claimed it was easy. Painting takes a lot of effort, as does marketing your abilities through College Pro. Just ask anyone's who's taken a manager job with 'em.
"Nothing in life that's worthwhile comes without great effort. You'll find in College Pro reviews that many who did put the effort forth found great value in the experience. But you'll also find people who did not.”
"The best thing is to ask yourself how committed you are. And if you're not committed, you shouldn't [sign up for College Pro]. That goes for anything in life! You need to be committed to the development you seek. Because when the tough days come, you'll make the right decision—to persevere."
What he's saying, here, is that there is no College Pro Painters scam, because it ain't a free ride. It's an opportunity to make money at your summer job—for those who want to work.
"I don't find any truth to the 'College Pro Painters scam theories," he adds. "But I do see a challenging opportunity… that every college student is seeking. Just as long as you're ready to mature and work through it."