Nebraska's internship program

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

Before we know it summer will be here and students will be actively searching for internships to enhance their skills. This is a great time to remind businesses and students about Nebraska's internship program -- Intern Nebraska.

I am pleased to announce the new and improved InternNE.com website is up and running. Since going live in early January, the website has seen an increase of nearly 100 registered students. The new, streamlined design and easier navigation capabilities make this a positive change for both students and business leaders.

A total of 229 companies have taken advantage of the program designed to help offset some of the cost and risk businesses incur when hiring interns. Grants are available to companies creating qualified new internships matching wages paid to interns between 40 percent (up to $3,500 per internship) and 60 percent (up to $5,000 per internship) depending upon the location of the business.

Participating companies filled 361 positions by December 2012. Since its beginning, the Intern Nebraska program had awarded or disbursed more than $2.46 million. One-third of the funds were granted to companies in rural Nebraska.

Students who have completed internships with the program have been highly satisfied with their experiences, highly rating the program. Of the completed internships, 33 percent were filled by students who graduated at the end of the internship and provided information to the Intern Nebraska program about their future plans. Over 50 percent of those graduating interns were offered a full-time position with the company where they interned. More than 25 percent were hired on full-time with another company.

Currently, there are 400 students engaged in the program from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Creighton University, Hastings College and Wayne State College. As word spreads of this successful program, we expect more Nebraska colleges to take advantage of this opportunity. Additionally, companies are providing internships in a wealth of interesting and diverse disciplines and fields, including 48 percent in general business, 20 percent in computer-related careers, 18 percent in engineering, eight percent in sciences, and five percent in agriculture.

The program continues its focus on helping businesses afford interns, helping students locate internships, and encouraging students to explore all the career-related possibilities that exist right here in Nebraska.

For more information, to find current openings or to learn about available grants, visit the website at InternNE.com.