We checked in with these recent intern program graduates to learn about their decision-making process when choosing their first step after college – and to discover how their time at Nelnet has helped where they are now.

• Ellie Geise, Technical Sales Recruiter at Apex Systems
• Megan Boyle, Tech Financial Analyst at JPMorgan Chase & Co
• Jack Rowen, Software Developer I on the Nelnet Business Services Infinity team
• Derek Moore, Software Engineer on the PaymentSpring Gateway team
• Connor Castleman, Referral Partnership Specialist at Franchise FastLane

What was most important to you in your decision-making process when choosing a full-time role after graduation?

Ellie: The most important thing to me while going through the interview process was looking at which position was going to provide me with the most growth. Being fresh out of school, I knew that I had a lot to learn and a lot of growing to do, and I was eager to do so. I went with the opportunity that I knew would challenge me the most with the managers who were excited to help me get to where I wanted to be.

Megan: I really wanted to choose a job that would challenge me, and I also wanted to move to a new city (I did!).  I knew I wanted to work at a larger bank to start off my career because the experience is valuable!

Derek: A good team was the most important to me. I understood that a good team culture is hard to come by and, during my internship, I developed friendships with my coworkers. I knew that I needed to stay to continue working with people I enjoyed spending time with. Also, because of my internship, I understood exactly what was expected of me if I accepted the offer, since I was doing real work that a full-time associate would do.

How did your internship at Nelnet help shape what you wanted to do after graduation? How has it helped you in your current role?

Megan: The mentorship at Nelnet is phenomenal. I worked for some of the best managers, who invested in me as an individual. Nelnet gave me a foundation for what to expect in a full-time role. I was treated like a young professional and always felt valued. Transitioning into my current role, I have been upfront about what resources I need to be successful. I also still ask a ton of questions!

Jack: The internship showed me how extensive Nelnet has been, working on their software products. Stepping into the team was a little daunting because of how big the project is. However, the internship did prepare me well to step into my role.

Connor: Being a part of the Pathway program allowed me to become more self-aware about what I enjoy in a job role. Furthermore, Nelnet did a great job offering educational opportunities, especially to interns, through lunch & learns, guest speakers, and out-of-office activities. I couldn’t be more grateful for some of the experiences Nelnet gave me when I was a part of their team.

What is the biggest thing you have learned since starting your full-time role?

Ellie: While I now – six months later – have a good grasp on my job and am seeing success, I think the biggest thing I learned is that it is totally okay to not know what you’re doing all the time. I’ve learned the value of asking a LOT of questions, because it is truly always just better to ask, and, I promise, someone will always answer you. I’ve learned the value of a good challenge. There really is a transition phase from being a student intern to being a true full-time employee, and it’s totally okay to recognize that challenge can be difficult at times.

Derek: I learned that what I accomplished during my internship was useful to the team, and not something that was thrown away. The main project I worked on during my internship actively replaced the current application that was being used, which was a very satisfying accomplishment. I have also learned that work can be something to look forward to, something I did not think was possible before starting my journey with Nelnet.

Connor: One thing I learned was how to reorient myself into an 8 a.m.-5 p.m. job. One great thing about college and being an intern at Nelnet is that you are given the opportunity to bounce between classes, two- to three-hour shifts, and evening activities. On the other hand, when you go full time, most of the expectation is to be available the majority of your work hours on a given day. This makes for a busy 8 a.m.-5 p.m. schedule, but a very open schedule in the evenings – which has both its benefits and drawbacks.

What advice do you have for current interns who will be making decisions on what to do after graduation?

Megan: Picture yourself in 5 years: Will this job help you achieve your goals? Ask lots of questions and, if you aren’t scared, you aren’t dreaming big enough.

Jack: Think critically about how the job may affect your life. Will it support a work-life balance you desire? Will you be able to grow your skill set and your career?

Derek: Go with what you feel is best after you graduate – and understand that a good team is hard to come by. If you are on a team that makes you enjoy working every day, do not lose that. Set the bar high early on so you can develop your career surrounded by people who are willing to help.

The post We Talk With Former Nelnet Interns, Now Working appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

Before the Virtual Interview

The best place to start with any interview is your preparation before it’s time to meet with the organization.

Set up your space.

The first thing you should figure out is where you’re going to have this virtual interview. After almost a year of virtual classes, we’re certain most students have a dedicated space for this, but take a step back and review your space critically, including your desk, background, noises, etc. Test your space by hopping onto a practice video call a few days before your interview.

Test technology.

Another important aspect of your preparation is testing the technology ahead of time. We’ve all been in those meetings or classes where you forgot to unmute yourself, your camera wasn’t working, or a computer update happened in the middle of a call. Take the time to test the video interview program, or even watch a YouTube video from the company to get a sense of how the platform works ahead of time.

Research the company ahead of time.

Like in-person interviewing, it’s always a good idea to do research on the organization ahead of time. But why is this important? Taking time before you meet to do research can show initiative, that you’re invested in the process, and that you are serious about your interest in the role. Here are a few key areas we believe are important to review before interviewing:

• An organization’s mission, core values, and vision.
• Recent news, articles, and awards the company has been recognized for.
• Employees and leaders on LinkedIn.
• If they are a public company, make sure to review their most recent financial statements.

Prepare (relevant) questions.

You can easily Google a list of standard questions to ask during an interview, but we highly encourage you to prepare questions that are going to be most relevant to you. For example, if you value work-life balance, you may ask an interviewer if they feel like they can step away from their work and focus on other priorities. Or, if you are interested in progressing your career, you could ask how the organization best prepares employees to reach their goals. Whatever your questions are, make sure that you first think about what’s important to you, and write them down before you go into an interview.

Have a backup plan if your connection goes down.

We all know there are times when technology fails, a connection drops, or a fire alarm in an apartment building goes off. It can be helpful to have a backup plan ready so that if something does happen, you can transition seamlessly. A few recommendations to think about:

• Do you have contact information for both the interviewer and the recruiter you’ve been working with?
• Is there an alternate space you can transition to easily?
• If the internet drops, do you know how to call into a virtual meeting from your phone?
• Do you have time after your interview blocked off in case your interview starts late?

During the Virtual Interview

A few hiring managers shared what they thought was most important to focus on during a virtual interview:

Tara, IT development manager: Just like in any interview, be yourself. Be ready to talk about all the awesome things you’ve done and have a pitch prepared that showcases your positive attributes and experiences. When someone says “Tell me about yourself,” this is your chance to differentiate yourself from the crowd and share information the interviewer might not know to ask about.

Chem, IT director: Students should have a portfolio of work they’ve completed to demonstrate competence –  especially if they have no real-world experience. Do research about the company you’re interviewing for, and be ready to talk about this when talking to hiring managers. The research you’ve done can come through in your answers, or questions you’ve prepared ahead of time.

Raquel, online help & communications specialist: Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. Sometimes interview questions can have multiple parts and seem a little overwhelming. It’s totally fine to repeat the question to the interviewer to make sure you are correctly addressing all parts of the question. This also shows your attention to detail and gives you a chance to make sure your answer is thorough and accurate.

After the Virtual Interview

You’ve just finished your interview! Now what should you do?

Thank them for their time.

We always recommend that students send a short thank you email to the team that interviewed them. Although this would not be the only deciding factor for a manager, this shows that you are willing to take initiative. Customer service is a top priority at Nelnet and taking the time to send a quick thank you is a great way to exemplify this before you get the job.

Connect or follow up with them on LinkedIn.

If you have not connected with the recruiter and hiring manager yet, now is a perfect time. Even if this opportunity does not work out, this will be an excellent way for them to stay up to date with you and you with them. We also recommend following the company on LinkedIn.

Give them space.

Following up with your recruiter is important, but don’t overdo it. Most of the time, a recruiter will give you a timeline of when you should hear back from them. Unless you have another deadline or offer come up, we recommend waiting to reach out until the date you expect to hear back from them.

Trust the process.

After accepting an offer, you might feel nervous about working remotely. Trust that the company has your best interest in mind and will follow up to make sure all relevant information about the specifics of your role are clearly defined and communicated. If you haven’t heard from them, it never hurts to reach out to a campus recruiter or program manager. Keep in mind that our world is still constantly changing, and logistics may not be finalized until there is more certainty.

Now that you know the tips and tricks to make you feel more confident after a virtual interview, be sure to check out Nelnet’s available internship opportunities at nelnetinc.com/careers/internships/.

The post Expert Advice on Virtual Interviewing appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

“I really wanted to be a part of the organization and the program from how they presented their culture and the program. I knew that if I got in I would learn lifelong skills and be able to make a real impact on the organization,” Collin said.

In August 2020, Collin began his career as a Pathway Program intern at Nelnet. He began his journey in the Business and Innovation track with Nelnet Payment Services, where he was able to manage a project focused on identifying possible fraud and transactions with the company. He enjoyed the independence – and the chance to own a project that would better the team and equip them with the knowledge to improve the business.

“My mentors gave me the freedom to approach this subject however I wanted to. I was able to analyze real data and give updates on exactly how they are being impacted by this issue and give real-world solutions,” Collin said. “This project wasn’t meant to just keep me busy. It was meant to give me a chance to make meaningful change, and that is what I am grateful for.”

While the Strengths-based program and real work were major selling points to Collin both before and during the Pathway Program, mentorship was especially unique and meaningful for him. The Pathway Program prioritizes building strong connections between interns and mentors, who aim to guide and support students in each rotation.

“Being able to have new mentors for each rotation has been one of the most impactful parts of this program. These mentors are so willing to give you the exact experience each intern wants,” Collin said.

The relationships between mentors and Pathway Interns are especially unique because Nelnet associates believe in the power of mentorship and a network of support and encouragement. “They bring so much to the table as subject matter experts, but more than that they are also just willing to be there as your friend. They bring such a real and human experience to the program that brings out the culture of Nelnet in a really special way,” Collin said.

With an emphasis on Strengths and character-building, real-world work that impacts Nelnet as a whole, and mentors who really care about their interns, the Pathway Program is more than just an exciting professional opportunity – it’s a life-changing personal journey for students.

Interested in becoming a Nelnet Pathway Intern? Applications for the 2021-22 academic year are open now through February 17^th. Learn more about interning at Nelnet at NelnetInc.com/Internships.

The post Life as a Pathway Intern: Meet Collin Fink  appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

Classes went remote. Students had to move. And many companies cancelled or postponed summer internship opportunities.

That’s where we came in.

After losing their original summer opportunities, many students reached out to Nelnet’s recruiting team to ask if there were any open roles or ways they could contribute over the summer. Not long after that, Mike Dunlap, Nelnet founder and executive chairman, initiated and prioritized an expansion of Nelnet’s summer intern program.

Once that happened, it was all hands on deck. Hiring managers, leaders, and associates across the company worked together to find places where interns wouldn’t just have a job, but would be able to have a valuable, worthwhile experience. Replacing the students’ summer income (though very important) wasn’t enough – the experience needed to be present.

Nelnet extended 23 additional summer internship offers in an incredibly short timeframe. Managers were on board. Remote workspaces were arranged. Teams expanded – and the new interns were welcomed with open arms.
Service means stepping up when challenges arise. Doing whatever it takes to support those in need. Seeing opportunities, and making the most of every single one.

Curious about the newest group of interns? We asked a few of them to share their thoughts on starting their newest gig.

“Being able to have this internship during these trying times means more to me than you could know. As a junior at UNL this summer may have been one of my last chances to gather real-world programming and tech experience before heading into the industry. I will always be grateful for such an opportunity.” – Zoe Hudson, business analyst intern

“Being able to continue at Nelnet with my position during the current times makes me feel valued, as many of my peers don’t have this opportunity. To me, this proves that Nelnet is not simply looking at their interns as a means to an end, but that they value us as people who want to learn and thrive.” – Thomas Braccia, software engineering intern

“I am extremely grateful for Nelnet giving me the opportunity to work with them this summer. I lost my original internship plans due to the effects of COVID-19 and the fact that I can continue to strengthen my education over the summer is incredible. I know that this is an extremely challenging time for everyone and the fact that Nelnet opened their doors to me means the world.” – Audra Heyne, IT intern

“Nelnet’s efforts to maintain their internships remotely, and maintain flexibility to my living situation and current accommodations, have made me incredibly impressed and satisfied with my internship. It’s shown me that Nelnet is committed to the success of their interns.” – Hunter Godina, software engineering intern

The post Nelnet Hosts Draft for 20+ Additional Interns appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

To learn about the impact internships had on full-time efforts, we asked four of our associates to share their experiences.

Megan Gould, marketing specialist

Aly Faber, recruiter

Josh Jones, data scientist

Michael Predaina, IT software engineer

Q: What was your first (or most impactful) internship experience?

Megan: My first internship was in sales at Sandhills Publishing. I spent a lot of time doing cold calls, researching potential clients, and managing account relationships.

Aly: Development intern at the Lied Center (Lincoln’s largest performing arts theater). I loved it – I worked with high-level Lied Center donors and the development team on donor solicitation, event preparation/execution, and daily upkeep with our donor information/contacts.

Josh: In my first internship, I was part of the first Pathway Program cohort in 2016. I worked in eight different departments at Nelnet, so I was exposed to a lot of different aspects of the company. I interned again in 2018 with the data science team, where I mainly focused on building out machine learning models. My primary project was to model how likely a household was to become an ALLO customer. This helped extrapolate growth of our current markets and predict other communities where ALLO would be well-received.

Michael: I had an internship with Mercury Marine out of Fond Du Lac, WI. I was a software development co-op. I developed software and managed data for the engineers, accountants, sales, and marketing teams designing outboard boat engines. Since coming to Nelnet, I’ve been volunteering as a Nelnet Ambassador attending career fairs and hiring software engineering interns.

Q: What was the most challenging part of being an intern?

 Megan: The most challenging part was wanting to go 100 miles per hour at all times. With it being my first internship ever, I really wanted to prove myself and didn’t understand work-life balance.

Aly: For me, I sometimes had difficulty finding confidence in myself in certain situations. I’d say “oh, I shouldn’t speak up since I’m just an intern” or “I should run this by my boss” before submitting my work on certain tasks. I lacked the confidence to truly be independent and make an impact, whereas in my role as head of theatre recruitment at Nebraska Wesleyan, I felt empowered to make critical decisions directly impacting my coworkers and prospective students.

Q: What was the most rewarding part of being an intern?

Josh: The most rewarding part of being an intern at Nelnet was having a lot of autonomy. The more constraints associated with a project, the more innovation was needed to meet those constraints, so I appreciated that I was able to experiment with new algorithms and models freely. In fact, a lot of programs I wrote as an intern are now part of the data science team’s “best practices” codebase.

Michael: The challenge. Being able to adapt to real-world problems and apply the skills that you learn in school to design and create solutions is extremely satisfying.

Q: How did this internship equip you for your first full-time job?

Michael: Having an internship before interviewing for full-time positions gave me an incomparable lead on other candidates. I was able to give future employers direct examples of problems I had already tackled in a professional setting. My internship experience communicated to employers that I could handle myself in a real work environment.

Aly: My time at the Lied Center gave me the biggest lesson in professionalism. In working with high-level donors throughout Nebraska, it was vital to be on top of my game all the time. It taught me to be a better, more-well rounded professional.

Q: After coming to Nelnet, what part of the culture surprised you?

 Megan: The core value of open and honest communication is truly lived out. A lot of companies have core values written in their handbook or as a decal on their wall but Nelnet actually lives the core values out in every aspect of the business.

Michael: I am always impressed by the amount of care and focus software engineers at Nelnet put into developing and delivering quality products. It is rare that I make it through a meeting without hearing the phrase “so how will that change affect users?”. The other big thing that I take for granted at Nelnet is the robustness of the development process itself. Nearly every aspect of the development lifecycle/infrastructure is automated for me. Things like software quality analysis, repositories, dependency management, deployments, artifact management, approvals, and secure design methodologies are all handled by some existing process.

What makes Nelnet stand out among other companies?

Josh: Not to sound cliché, but we’re a family here. It feels really authentic and I can’t name a single associate who doesn’t have the best interest of others in mind. We truly want to see each other, and Nelnet, grow and succeed.

Aly: Nelnet truly cares about its employees. If something isn’t working right, they try to fix it. If you want to learn and grow in different departments or business lines, your managers support you. It’s really incredible and humbling to be at a company that truly lives their values.

These associates have not only grown immeasurably since their time as interns – but have also contributed greatly to the success and mentorship of Nelnet’s current interns. Looking to be a part of the Nelnet family? Check out our open positions.

The post Learn From Experience – How Internships Helped Nelnet Associates Succeed appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

We talked to three Nelnet interns who are passionate about volunteering and impacting their communities – here’s some of the highlights.

Spencer Tuominen, business intelligence intern

Megan Wright, IT intern

Cole Nelson, IT application security intern

Where do you volunteer?

Spencer: I volunteer at Feed My People, a food bank in Eau Claire. I got involved because I’m a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary (or NRHH). This organization is centered on some pillars or values which are leadership, recognition, scholastics, and service. The emphasis on service is a big reason I joined (and still participate in) NRHH.

Megan: I first got involved with a branch of Girls Who Code that was run by a friend, and we decided we wanted to start our own organization so we could have more freedom of curriculum design and get funding from our university more easily. Thus Girls in Tech was born! We work with Lincoln elementary schools to run after-school clubs for third through fifth grade girls where we teach basic coding concepts and build girls’ confidence in their abilities.

Cole: I’ve been volunteering with Circle K International, the world’s largest student-led community service organization, since I began attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. I heard about them from a friend who saw them at the fall student organization fair, and I knew they were a branch of the Kiwanis Family (like Key Club, which is focused on high schoolers). I enjoyed volunteering with Key Club in high school, so I figured I’d give Circle K a shot. Circle K helps out in a wide variety of ways: soup kitchens, library events, school activities, road cleanups, fundraising operations, and so much more. I’ve had a lot of fun and met several of my college friends through Circle K while also helping out the community.

Why is volunteering important to you and what impact it has had on your life?

Spencer: I have been trying to volunteer as much as I can since high school. I actually first volunteered at Feed My Starving Children in middle school. I still remember it so well – I was a runner and moved large quantities of food to stations where people packed them. At that young age I didn’t fully comprehend the impact of what I was a part of but as I got older I realized, I had this time that others didn’t, and I wanted to use it to help others.

Megan: Closing the gender gap in STEM is something I am very passionate about, and I believe that it all starts with helping children have confidence in their capabilities and intelligence, and providing strong examples of women fearlessly doing what they love. Each week when I help my kids make animations in Scratch (a programming language), or make bracelets that say their initials in binary, I’m doing more than teaching them how to do computer science: I’m teaching them that they can. I’m showing by example that girls can love computers, girls can love math, girls can be smart and nerdy and girly all at the same time and it’s not a contradiction.

Cole: Most obviously, volunteering helps the community. There are a variety of underfunded community projects that would not be possible without the work of volunteers. Furthermore, there are many individuals who need the assistance of volunteers in their own lives. However, volunteering is not just all about altruism. Selfishly, volunteering is good for yourself in two ways: it lets you accomplish something meaningful and engage with others.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your volunteer experience?

Spencer: Working with the people that run volunteer operations. They are some of the nicest people I have ever met. Also, knowing that you can have an impact no matter how small you think it is.

Megan: My main goals are building the kids’ confidence and giving them a basic understanding of computing concepts and logical thinking. Seeing either of those things start to click for a kid is the most rewarding feeling in the world. Teaching is hard, but it’s so worth it to see the results.

Cole: Among many other things, getting to know new people!

It’s easy to believe volunteering is important, but much harder to put it into action. We’re so proud of our interns for choosing to make a long-lasting impact in their communities.

The post Serving Our Communities: Nelnet Interns Share Their Passion for Volunteering appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

While participating in the Pathway class of Spring 2019, Lauren explored three Nelnet departments, helping her better understand Nelnet’s businesses and her own career interests. After completing her Pathway internship, Lauren became an executive projects Intern, where she directly supports Nelnet’s leadership team by executing a breadth of research and analysis projects.

How would you describe yourself to someone who’s never met you?

I am from Omaha, Nebraska and a current junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying accounting. I would describe myself as an intellectual, determined individual who also possesses a very silly, fun, and creative side.

Throughout my life, I have always been an ambitious and driven person. These characteristics tend to manifest in a lot of goal setting. The minute I wake up, I grab my color-coded agenda and a pad of sticky notes to map out the day’s tasks and my goals for the week. Visually, I find this works for me in seeing exactly what needs to happen in order to generate the best outcomes. Outside of my responsibilities, you can always find me reading, ready to try something new, or singing a #1 Broadway hit.

What are your career goals?

After completing my undergraduate degree, I would like to attend law school. Following graduation, I would like to focus my career on business law with an emphasis in mergers and acquisitions. I see myself assisting in critical company decisions to help build and grow modern American business.

What led you to Nelnet?

At UNL, I am a member of the University Program Council. My sophomore year, one of my fellow council members, Mary Woodruff, was working in Nelnet People Services. She is someone I look up to as a mentor and she strongly recommended I apply for the Pathway Program. After doing my research, I especially liked the way I could get such a diverse range of experiences in one internship. What sold me was the application process because it requested a self-written poem and a drawing. This was unique; I loved the idea of working somewhere that valued my creativity.

Tell us about your experience in the Pathway Program.

I participated in the Pathway Program in Spring 2019. At the time, interns rotated through three different departments. I worked in Internal Audit, FUSE Coworking, and U-fi. In Internal Audit, I was able to put my major to the test by assisting in the preparation for the external audit and SOX compliance (which helps prevent accounting errors and increases data security).

Afterward, I enjoyed my time at FUSE Coworking, which is home to a variety of Lincoln start-ups. FUSE demonstrates the way Nelnet’s culture extends beyond office walls and into their communities.

My time at U-fi was spent brainstorming ideas to improve the customer experience on the refinance application. Working in FUSE and U-fi sparked my passion for start-up culture because they are innovation-oriented and allow me to utilize my creative and collaborative skills.

During the Pathway Program, I was presented with an opportunity to interview for the executive projects intern team. I was beyond excited that I could possibly stay on with Nelnet and further demonstrate the impact interns have at this company.

What is your role as an Executive Projects Intern?

As an executive projects intern, I am assigned tasks from the Nelnet executive team to research and present. These projects could be anything from financial modeling to extensive market analyses. The thing I love most about executive projects is the variety of requests that come our way. This has provided me the opportunity to see and understand the diversity of Nelnet’s business lines and the way they impact the company at large.

What does a typical day in the office look like?

Up on the 9^th floor of the Wells Fargo building in downtown Lincoln, the executive projects interns sit with the risk management team and about ten other interns. For me, a typical day in the office starts with saying good morning to the friendly faces around me and opening my email. Afterward, I update the executive projects white board, which lists our current outstanding projects. Then, it’s time to start on the requests. Sometimes this involves scheduling and attending meetings with different executives, drafting reports and analyses, making spreadsheets, or all of the above.

What’s your favorite Nelnet memory?

My favorite Nelnet memory is the Intern Olympics event from Fall 2019. It was held in an area of green space in Lincoln’s Haymarket District. All interns were split into teams with a different executive as their leader. It was a beautiful day outside! Nelnet interns and executives participated in relay races, Nelnet trivia, and a water balloon toss. It was so much fun; the best part was seeing the execs work with the interns to compete!

How does your internship here fit into your broader career path?

As an intern, I have learned so much from mentors and managers across every department I have worked in. My current managers, Mark Pence and Matt Dunlap, both attended law school at the University of Nebraska. They are always willing to provide advice and opportunities to help develop my understanding of their role as in-house legal counsel. For example, they frequently extend invitations to sit in on their meetings and they will assign specific projects that may link back to a legal decision.

The executive projects internship is a versatile role that allows me to generate conclusions and think critically about data every single day. I’ve learned that I enjoy this kind of work, and just how much I value a company that invests in its people! Without Nelnet, I would not have this vision of where I see myself in five years or the outline of steps it will take to get there.

Does getting paid for valuable internship experience sound enticing? Find your opportunity by exploring our internships.

The post Meet Lauren Kubat: Life as an Executive Projects Intern at Nelnet appeared first on Nelnet Inc.