Intern Foundry

Intern Foundry-Kearney, a collaboration between the Foundry and the University of Nebraska-Kearney Honors Program, addresses Nebraska's "brain drain" by pairing high-achieving students with quality work-based learning opportunities in critical community areas. It fosters a talent pipeline for future leaders and volunteers by connecting students with nonprofits, public sector organizations, and purpose-driven businesses in Kearney.

Connecting high-achieving students with work-based connections and experiences in Kearney and Central Nebraska.

TALENT PIPELINE

Cultivate a long-term ecosystem of workforce talent
BRAIN GAIN

Develop stronger future talent, leadership, and volunteers
NEXT-GEN LEADERS

Student-led, significant work-based learning

Key Outcomes of the Intern Foundry Program

Skill Development

Project management skills like planning, communication, time management, and problem-solving are essential for students and valuable for employers.

The Power of Mentorship

Intern Foundry-Kearney enables collaboration between students and supervisors on meaningful projects, providing valuable work-based learning experiences even with limited resources.

Addressing Brain Drain in Nebraska

Intern Foundry-Kearney helps partner organizations complete projects they couldn’t otherwise tackle, creating a pipeline for future employees invested in their work.

Building Kearney’s Capacity

Intern Foundry-Kearney engages high-achieving students, fostering their connection to the community and increasing the chances they will remain in Nebraska after graduation.

Projects Examples

This intern supported NIFA in advancing their goal of producing 35,000 housing units with data collection on housing units, streamlining legislative advocacy and housing construction.
This intern developed a project plan for a platform that aggregates and visualizes mixed business data.
This intern organized an advocacy workshop, tracking state legislature bills, and promoting NebraskARTS award winners and Creative Districts.