Intern Foundry Program FAQ’s
Q: What is the Foundry?
A: The Foundry Community is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in downtown Lincoln with a mission to support, educate, and develop the purpose driven community of Lincoln and Nebraska. The Foundry is an organization committed to “helping the helpers” and has purpose as a centering theme and value in everything we do – talent and capacity, organizational incubation, and co-working.
Q: Why the Foundry?
A: The Intern Foundry program stands out for its unique focus on professional development and purpose-driven work. As an intern, you’ll engage in meaningful projects that enhance key skills such as communication, problem-solving, and the ability to transfer knowledge across various fields—competencies that are central to the Honors experience. Additionally, the program provides valuable training in project management, preparing you to lead and collaborate effectively in real-world settings. Beyond skill-building, you’ll be part of a vibrant, supportive community at the Foundry, where you can connect with like-minded peers and mentors who are passionate about helping you grow both personally and professionally.
Q: Is this internship paid?
A: Yes! The Intern Foundry Program pays $16/hour for 8 hours a week.
Q: How do I earn my UNL UHON99H credit through the Intern Foundry program?
A: To earn your 99H credit, you’ll need to participate in five required paid sessions as part of the continuation of the Intern Foundry training and development program.
These sessions will cover a variety of topics, including community impact speakers, team building, and personal and professional development. Additionally, any homework for the 99H course will be completed during class in the form of reflections.
Additionally, the required pre-internship Project Management training, which takes place in January, will provide up to 18 hours of in-person training and is also a crucial part of fulfilling your 99H credit requirements.
Q: Is the IF program in person or remote?
A: There are many different positions available through IF, and all of them look different. Your supervisor will communicate with you whether your position is in person, remote, or a hybrid. In-person work is an expectation for most internships.
Q: Are there training sessions with this internship?
A: As part of the Intern Foundry program, students are required to receive paid project management training.
Each training session includes up to 18 hours, scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily, along with up to two hours of paid unscheduled work time. This in-person training will cover essential areas such as project management, preparing your semester internship plan, an introduction to purpose-driven industries, team building, and self-awareness.
Additionally, interns will have the chance to participate in up to three 30-minute paid coaching sessions with Intern Foundry Coordinators throughout the semester to support their growth and development.
Q: Do I need experience to Apply to the Intern Foundry?
A: The Intern Foundry selection process is competitive and assesses students in the following categories related to their experience:
- Application professionalism
- Diversity of experience (brought in and/or desired)
- Focus on purpose
- Career Interest and Connection
Students of all ages are encouraged to apply for Intern Foundry, although the program is specifically designed for Sophomores and Juniors. A diversity of students have been selected for past Intern Foundry cohorts – some with work experience, some with no work experience – and anyone interested is highly encouraged to apply.
Specific to Summer Intern Foundry:
Q: What is Summer Intern Foundry, and how is it different?
A: Summer Intern Foundry cohorts are rooted in specific topics or fields of study. Following the success of 2025's Health pilot, this new initiative for summer 2026 targets students interested in mental health, science, education, and public service careers that benefit Lincoln and Nebraska. It aims to provide young talent with diverse career exploration opportunities, enhancing workforce retention across the state.
Q: Do I need to live in Lincoln to have an internship this summer?
A: This summer, there are opportunities for various internships across the state of Nebraska. While many projects are based in Lincoln, there are also opportunities to work in Omaha and Greater Nebraska. Also, some projects for this summer will include travel opportunities. For example, the six interns for the National Alliance on Mental Illness will each be assigned a region in Nebraska, and will have the chance to travel to the region to conduct research and meet with the local stakeholders. Any travel expenses will be covered. You can view the specific location and travel information for each project on the project description page. If you have any questions about whether you can work on a certain project from where you plan to live this summer, please reach out to haley@thefoundry.co or merrick@thefoundry.co.
Q: What are the summer info sessions?
A: We want to ensure students have all of the information they need to feel confident in the Intern Foundry application process, so we will be hosting weekly information sessions throughout February. These sessions are a chance for us to provide an overview of the Summer IF program, highlight the available internship projects, and answer any questions you may have about the projects or application process. The info sessions will be held in Room 150 in Knoll on various weeknights. Attendance is not required to apply, but it is strongly encouraged, and attendance may be considered during the selection process. While these sessions are intended to be casual opportunities to ask questions and learn more about the IF Program, Foundry staff will be present, so we encourage attendees to be respectful, engaged, and to put their best foot forward!
