Internships are a workforce pipeline

According to NSWERS (Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System), “since the 1970s, Nebraska has consistently faced brain drain—the out-of-state migration of highly-educated individuals. This out-migration has accelerated in recent years.”

“Brain drain is problematic for Nebraska as it results in diminished professional expertise, impacting employee quality and reducing consumer spending and business revenue, leading to economic stagnation. Improving the retention of Nebraska’s college graduates is essential to maximize the return on the state’s investment in higher education.”

A recent report by NSWERS which focuses on factors influencing talent retention—or staying and working in Nebraska after graduation from college—indicated that Nebraska college graduates who grew up in the state are about twice as likely to stay and work here compared to their out-of-state peers.

Given the higher talent retention rates among in-state students, the report’s author said, “it would be more efficient to grow Nebraska’s labor force by producing college-educated workers from within the state.” The analysis also showed that internships and part-time jobs during the two years leading up to college graduation are crucial for retaining talent in Nebraska.

The data reinforces the critical partnership Grow Grand Island has been cultivating for the last 3-4 years with Wayne State College (WSC) for internships.  The program is unique in that participating students will complete their coursework in their first three years, leaving their senior year dedicated to an internship here in Grand Island.

This means we will have WSC students working at local businesses as interns from August through May, not just over the summer, which traditionally occurs.  There are currently two WSC seniors working here in Grand Island; fifteen are expected in August of 2025.  From there we expect the number to escalate to upwards of 55 in the coming years.

When you also consider that 70% of all interns are offered a position at the same company they interned for, and only 20% decline that offer, internships hold great promise as a workforce pipeline.  When you also consider that Grand Island (at 21.1%) lags the state (at 32.9%) and the nation (at 33.7%) of workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher, we need strong programs to address this workforce challenge.

Last month a bus of 40 WSC students, mostly incoming Freshmen, visited Grand Island as eventual interns.  These students toured our community and heard directly from employers who are excited to hire them. Statistically speaking, that equates to 28 of them getting hired following their internship.  This can happen year after year and have a major impact on our workforce pipeline.