The Intern Foundry (IF) program helps connect students with meaningful work-based learning opportunities to address critical areas of high community need and build a strong pipeline of future talent in Lincoln and greater Nebraska.

IF is an intentionally designed partnership between the Foundry and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Honors Program. When applications are open, you can apply on the UNL Honors website.

Applications for Spring 2025 Intern Foundry are now closed. Applications for Summer 2025 Intern Foundry will open in early 2025.

EARN MONEY

Earn $15/hour doing impactful work in our community
BUILD SKILLS

Learn skills that will easily transfer to your future career
MEANINGFUL WORK

Student-led, significant work-based learning that earns 3 Honors hours

Why Students Love Intern Foundry

Make Money + an Impact

Help meet pressing community needs by undertaking a project that the partner organization otherwise may not be able to complete. You will earn $15/hour, paid through the University Honors Program with the support of external funding. Without the IF program, many of these internship would not exist, or would be unpaid.

Access Networking & Mentorship

You will have networking opportunities with several purpose-driven organizations, meeting local leaders and learning about their experiences and organizations. Your nonprofit director and staff will be wonderful mentors and supervisors. The professional staff at the Foundry will provide additional guidance and IF student coordinators will serve as peer coaches.

Develop Transferable Skills

Whether this is your first internship or your fifth internship, you will gain a better sense of your professional identity. Learn skills that will easily transfer to your future career, such as project management, communication, grant writing, fundraising, marketing, research, website development, advocacy, time management, and problem solving.

Enjoy Flexible Scheduling

The IF internship will be a total of 120 hours in the spring or 200 hours in the summer. You and your supervisor may set a schedule that works best for you and the flow of the project. You might work remotely, in-person at the organization’s office, in the co-working space at the Foundry, off-site at events, or at a combination of locations.

Earn Honors Hours

All students in the IF program will take a zero-credit (tuition-free) Honors Experiences course related to the internship experience. Through guided critical reflection and intentionally crafted assignments, you’ll draw connections between your internship and what you're learning in the classroom. Upon successful completion of the course, you will earn 3 Honors hours.

Student Spotlights

Livia Ziskey

I had the pleasure of interning with Linked2Literacy as a member of the Intern Foundry’s Spring 2024 cohort. Linked2Literacy is a Lincoln-based nonprofit dedicated to closing the literacy gap by providing children across the community with brand new, age-appropriate books.

I was responsible for planning Linked2Literacy’s annual EMpowerME Fundraiser, which specifically supports children in foster care. Through sponsorships and individual supporters, I was able to help Linked2Literacy raise over $24,000 for this cause.

My favorite part of interning with L2L was meeting so many inspiring individuals who truly care about making a difference in Nebraska. This internship taught me how to excel in a professional environment and the importance of finding a role that adds purpose to my life. I am so grateful for this opportunity, and I hope so many other Nebraska students find internships that energize them and allow them to explore their true passions.

Ana Womacher

Photo by Nina Marie Kudlacz, @ninakudlaczphotography

Hi! My name is Ana Wombacher and I got the chance to work with the Lincoln Arts Council for the Lincoln Calling Music Festival. Leading up to the festival, I worked on making graphics and spreading the word about the festival to students. In the days right before, I also helped finalize the event materials. During the festival, I learned about artist hospitality and got to take concert photography for the first time! My favorite part was getting to work in live music, which is something I am very passionate about, and getting to meet so many great people.

About Intern Foundry

The IF program launched in 2022 with 9 students interning at 8 nonprofits, and grew to 30 students interning at 20 nonprofits in 2024. To date, 70 students have been served by the Intern Foundry program with new cohorts each semester.

Intern Foundry Spring Slideshow