positions here at Nelnet. We appreciate all the great work they do, and now it’s time to learn a little bit more

about these associates in our New to Nelnet January 2021 feature.

This month we sat down with Samantha Crandall and Austin Essman, two associate accountants at Nelnet Business Services (NBS).

How did your Nelnet internship prepare you for a full-time role?

Samantha: My internship was really the reason I decided to stay with Nelnet. I loved Nelnet’s culture and the people I worked with. The internship also helped me gain technical knowledge that wasn’t taught in my classes.

Austin: My internship introduced me to the accounting environment of Nelnet and many associates across teams in NBS. My internship also taught me more about the company and its products and services, and how my role relates to those products and services.

Describe a typical day at work for you.

Samantha: I typically log on around 8 a.m. and check my emails first. I was kind of shocked by how many emails I get each day now. Then I have two daily reports I start with each morning, and after that I work on Peace of Mind claims. I usually take a break for lunch around 12, and I’m still in training so a lot of my afternoons are taken up by training.

Austin: The first part of my day involves checking emails, both my own inbox and a shared one that my team uses for billing inquiries. The next step is to determine what projects or job-related tasks need to be finished from the preceding day(s). Additionally, depending on the time of month, completing the necessary month-end or reconciliation tasks is important. The rest of the day is spent on other miscellaneous tasks that need to be completed and answering client inquiries as they come in throughout the day.

How would you describe Nelnet’s culture?

Samantha: Lively. Everyone I come in contact with at Nelnet loves their job and is excited about working at Nelnet. It goes a long way in making others feel welcome and excited about logging on to work.

Austin: I would describe it as friendly, welcoming, and encouraging. My experiences with my colleagues and teams have been incredible. I’ve always felt like I was welcomed and a part of a stellar work environment. Everyone is friendly and extremely helpful whenever I have questions, encouraging me to perform at my best and reach my potential as a member of the team.

What are a few of your favorite things about working at Nelnet?

Samantha: Once COVID hit I think a lot of companies struggled with being able to have everyone stay in contact and feel like a community, however, I never felt that with Nelnet. Nelnet was able to adapt quickly and there wasn’t a period of time when we fell out of contact or failed in communication.

Austin: With the environment and atmosphere at Nelnet, further fostered by my team members, it’s impossible not to have a great day! I also love how accommodating Nelnet has been for its employees, allowing me to work from home and placing importance on my schooling while I was an intern.

 Any advice for college students seeking internships?

Samantha: Say yes. When I applied to Nelnet I actually applied for a tax internship, at the time that’s what I wanted to go into so I was only applying for those internships. My recruiter called and explained they had the NBS Finance and Accounting internship available that they wanted me to apply for, so I went out on a limb and just said yes. I figured at worst I’d get a little more interview practice, and ended up loving my internship and wanting to stay on.

Austin: My advice is to work hard and apply yourself! Network with companies that visit campus and apply to any and all internships available to you. Do not feel discouraged if you do not succeed on the first try either, I applied at Nelnet for an internship twice before getting accepted.

Bonus question: Give us a fun fact about yourself!

Samantha: I love to read, since graduating I’ve read 10+ books.

Austin: I have a twin sister and I’m an alumnus of the Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band!

Visit our internship page to learn more about life as a Nelnet intern.

The post Interns to Full-Time Associates – January’s New to Nelnet Update appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

Recently, we asked our associates to share what makes their Nelnet Sidekicks so spectacular.

Best Bosses

“My pup loves to keep an eye on me while I work.” – Katie Humphries

“My dog is my personal trainer. Her guilt glare is why I was walking this morning at 7:30 among snow flurries.” – Jeff Kalasinski

“Jack’s always watching me to make sure I stay on task.” Kim Christiansen

“Marley helps review apps for the ED Compliance team.” – Tia Marie Immonen

Cuddly Coworkers

“These fine 10-year-old ladies are Moe and Sumner. They are litter mates and have been wonderful companions for me! I found a tumor on Sumner in October and she’s not doing too well, so it’s been very nice to spend all these months working from home and cuddling them both a little extra! They love taking turns on my lap in the mornings watching the mouse move on the screen.” – Allie Steensnes

“This guy has become my coworker, he’s always stealing my office chair. His name is Tommy, we rescued him a little over 3 years ago.” – Kelly Mormann

Rescue Rangers

“Apollo – he survived my house fire 3 years ago. His middle name is Lucky.” – Jim Kreul

“Meet BearBear. She was a light in a dark time. We found her wandering outside on the same day that we learned that we lost our baby in 2014. We put up posters and posted on social media and at the human society. No one ever claimed this 4 lb. adorable, loving, little pooch. We truthfully believe she was sent to us at the right time for a reason. She sleeps under my desk curled up with my other pup, Gobbie, while I work and always has to be near me.” – Tiffany Wittrock

“Both Layla (15-year-old black lab mix) and Bruno (3 year old mix) were adopted. They make sure I get outside for some fresh air a few times a day.” – Stacey Odle

“We rescued Duke from Dolly’s Legacy in February of this year and he is an absolute sweetheart! We love him so much!” – Megan Gould

Sleepy Slackers

“They don’t care who’s around, honestly.” – Samantha Volker

“My coworkers are the laziest! They lay here all day while I do all the work!” – Marissa Olson

Keep up the good work, Nelnet Sidekicks!

Do you and your pet have what it takes for #LifeAtNelnet? Check out our available career opportunities!

The post Nelnet Sidekicks Step Up in 2020 appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

What does wellness mean to you?

I think it means balance. I’ve been trying to convey to my kids that everything needs to be done in moderation. You can balance out the not-so-good habits with the good ones. I try to incorporate that into my life in terms of eating and exercise and sleep. But, on the other hand, I like to have fun and go out with friends (not so much, recently). If I want to have a dessert or sweets or chips, as long as I’m kind of finding the balance – to me that’s wellness.

How important has variety been – how else have you stayed motivated?

Variety is key. I’ve pretty much practiced that all the time. My exercising of choice involves walking with the dog, kayaking on a nearby river, playing tennis, doing yoga, and getting on the bike trails. My younger sister is a physical trainer, and she started a Zoom workout with me and my other two sisters once or twice a week. Where we live right now in Rhode Island, there are a lot of options. I really dig that, because it’d be really boring if I was just trying to go to the gym.

What is your advice on staying healthy during the holidays?

What I do is just continue being active. Sure I let the diet go a little bit, but I forgive myself for that because I’m active enough. It’s not the ideal scenario, but I’m still going to do yoga, I’m still going to play tennis, and I’m still active. The world doesn’t stop for the holidays, and it’s a brief period of time. As long as you’re balancing it out with doing activities you enjoy, especially as a family.

Looking to strike the right balance in your life? As a Nelnet associate, you could take advantage of our awesome wellness culture. Come see the other benefits of a Nelnet career!

The post Finding Balance with Tracy Keller appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

When did you learn to knit or crochet?

Becky Zick, Product Owner Manager (NDS IT): Circa 2008, after my sister-in-law gifted me my first set of needles and yarn. I’ll never forget asking Carrie Hafele (Product Owner) to show me what I was doing wrong with my purling – she grabbed two pens and the lanyard for her badge and demonstrated for me right then and there!

What originally sparked your interest in knitting or crochet?

Becky: Growing up, I didn’t have any knitters in my family. My sister-in-law is a knitter and I loved seeing all of her creations! There are also a fair number of knitters at Nelnet, and everything they made was so beautiful, as well as useful. I couldn’t seem to get the idea out of my mind. I dropped my cross-stitch crafting and never looked back!

Nicole Francavilla, Product Owner: I had tried knitting a few years before, but didn’t stick with it. I had a friend who told me to try crocheting and took the time to teach me.

Jenni McDonald, IT Manager – Unifi Design Studio: I used to work for a woman who was fond of bartering for services. So she traded an entire eCommerce website for knitting lessons and supplies. I was a new mother, super busy, and needed the cash at the time, so I was not pleased with this arrangement. To spite this, I vowed to get my “money’s worth.” It turns out I really enjoyed it and haven’t put the needles down since.

What do you love most about knitting or crochet?

Becky: Besides creating items that are useful and (mostly) beautiful, the ability to switch to the creative side of my brain brings me a lot of calmness. I also get a strong sense of accomplishment from producing something from nothing more than what is essentially sticks and string!

Nicole: It’s a great way to de-stress while also getting to use my artistic side.

Jenni: Working through the process, and then putting on the finished product and having intimate knowledge of every stitch.

What are some of your favorite things to make, yarn to use, etc.?

Becky: Hats and socks are quicker projects that are more portable and I love to gift them. J I am always wanting to learn a new technique or to use a new-to-me yarn.  I prefer working with natural fibers, but have to admit that anything with a hint of cashmere in it is a dream!!

Nicole: I love picking out patterns with my daughter, and then letting her pick the colors so she can “design” it herself. Also, stuffed animals typically work up pretty quick for the kids to play with.

Jenni: In the last couple of years, I have found that I enjoy Lopi-Icelandic Wool. It knits up very quickly and is bulky but has enough loft that it’s airy. It makes a very comfortable and colorful sweater. These projects are suitable for times that you need to complete something and then bundle up in it.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever made?

Becky: Since I’m always seeking to learn new techniques, it seems the coolest thing is always my most recent project.  I just finished my first color work sweater where I needed to hold 2 different yarns to create the pattern in the yoke.  So proud of how it turned out!  On to the next…

Nicole: A blanket (Ha! I don’t know how to make this sound cool – it is really pretty and was a fun challenge to get the whole thing done!)

Jenni: That’s a difficult question to answer. I love to try new things and challenge myself. I like to have a simple, mindless project in one basket and a technical knitting project in another. Although the giant octopus that’s sitting in the Madison office is pretty cool.

How has the quarantine affected your knitting or crochet habits?

Becky: Honestly, it has brought even more calmness into my daily life, as well as the ability to be more patient.

Nicole: My daughter has been doing remote learning since March and my son will turn 1 in a few weeks, so I actually put my crochet projects to the side and took up cross stitching during quarantine. It involved less counting and was something that was easier to do with the constant interruptions. I’m still trying to carve out a few hours during the week to wrap up random things I’ve started and never finished.

Jenni: I think that I am relying on the respite it brings even more lately. I’m also focusing on creating pieces that will please me, rather than for other people. It’s more about the process and not as much the finished product.

What advice would you give someone who wants to learn how to knit or crochet?

Becky: DO IT!! YouTube is such a great source for helping to learn to knit, new techniques, etc.  The knitting community (world-wide!) is full of amazing teachers, designers, dyers, store owners… all willing to help and encourage and celebrate along the way.  Also, everyone always starts with the standard scarf… but you don’t have to! Pick something simple, yet still keeps you interested to move forward.

Nicole: Just like with learning any new skill, be patient and keep practicing.

Jenni: Don’t give up, and take advantage of all the great videos that are out there. And reach out to friends – I think you may be surprised that there are some secret knitters out there that will love to knit along with you.

Ready to join the tight-knit team at Nelnet? Check out our open positions and find one that’s right for you.

The post From Sticks and String to Cozy Things: The Nitty Gritty on Nelnet’s IT Knitters appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

How would you say your history of activeness has been?

“I’ve always been kind of active. A lot of times, not as much as I should have been. Last year wasn’t a pleasant year for me – cancer got me and my immunotherapy induced Type I diabetes on me. I wasn’t in the best shape to begin with when that happened to me. It was kind of a wake-up call. It helped me reprioritize things in my life. Healthier nutrition and overall fitness. Ever since then, it’s been golden. My motivation and determination – and most of all my desire to help others.”

What’s your motivation for staying active?

“I’m seeing massive results. From the scale to the clothes sizes – it kicked my motivation into overdrive. When people tell me they’re tired and sluggish, it’s on my radar. I’ll ask them to go on a walk, or tell them to try it out. I’ve also become a Beachbody coach, so I’m having so much fun helping others set and achieve their goals.”

How has working from home changed the way you diet?

In your own words, what is mindfulness?

“Meditation and mindfulness can sometimes mean the same thing. The easiest way to describe what mindfulness is, is that our minds are kind of out of control. It’s like there’s a little monkey in our head that’s talking all the time. Being mindful is learning to either control that voice or quiet that voice, so that you can pay attention to what you’re doing right now, in the moment.”

How did you start getting into mindfulness and meditation?

“It was actually a terrible journey. I heard about it, tried it a couple times, and said, “this doesn’t work”. Then I heard about it again about a year or two ago – and this time there was research. I’d sort of heard the information before, but didn’t really take it in. Being mindful and meditating is hard. I tried it again, and I was still struggling. If I spent six minutes meditating, I was proud of myself. Then, someone gave me a book called Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World, and it sort of woke me up. I started doing what’s called a ‘body scan meditation’ and started being able to meditate for longer. I started noticing that when something went wrong or I lost control of the day and I got angry or frustrated, it was often the days I didn’t meditate. The days I didn’t meditate really weren’t great days.”

How can other associates get started with mindfulness and meditation?

“I don’t know if my answer will work for everyone, but I think a great way to get started is by using an app. Some kind of tool, whether it’s Calm or Headspace, that’s free. I did the same free exercise over and over again and it just got me practicing. Then, you’ll figure out which ones you like. Recognize that not everything will work and you aren’t going to be good at it starting out. It’s a lot like golf. People think it’s a hard sport to learn (and it is), but mindfulness is even harder than that. Start slow. Try to do three or five minutes. Don’t try to do 20. You also have to make time for it.”

How can associates make mindfulness a habit?

“I have a couple of accountability partners to make sure we’re doing the challenges and emailing back and forth on how it feels. I’ve also sent them meditation playlists on SoundCloud and YouTube. If anyone wants to participate with us, feel free to send me an email!”

Wellness is a way of life at Nelnet. Come see the other benefits of a Nelnet career!

The post Keeping Mindfulness in Mind with Roge Karma appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

If you’d like to avoid the crowds on Election Day, you may need to make a plan to vote early and/or request an absentee ballot. Go to Vote.org to learn everything you need to know about how to register, vote by mail, find your polling place, and more.

The post When, Where, and How to Vote in This Year’s Election appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

Formed out of the growing demand for talented developers in Nebraska, the Nebraska Dev Lab Pipeline Program trains individuals to become highly-qualified developers—even those with no prior development experience. Area businesses sponsor individual participants. Upon completion of the accelerated course, they return to their sponsor as mid-level developers. “Obviously, I’m hoping to gain the skills to become an effective developer for Nelnet. But probably the biggest thing for me is the opportunity to pivot into a career that I know I’m suited for,” says Jenny. “Each student has a job waiting for them, so no one needs to worry about a job hunt.”

Nebraska Dev Lab Pipeline Program  – How It Works

Coursework for the Nebraska Dev Lab Pipeline Program is broken down into four twelve-week sections. Each section centers on a different aspect of development. The first two units, led by a Doane University professor, focus on the fundamentals of becoming an effective programmer. In section three, students learn how to design and plan software that’s scalable and easy to maintain from DPL professionals. For section four, students return to development teams within their sponsor organizations as apprentices. Throughout the process, program participants pair with mentors from their sponsor organizations. They meet weekly to provide context between what students learn and how it fits in with their organization’s process.

As Jenny’s sponsor organization, Nelnet covers her program costs, as well as continuing to pay her regular salary. This allows Jenny to devote all her time and energy to her studies without having to worry about living expenses while she completes the year-long program.

Jenny is one of six participants in the inaugural cohort of the Pipeline Program. If all goes as planned, the next round will start next year. Participant feedback on the experience will help improve the program for future aspiring developers.

How to Get Involved

For others hoping to follow in her pioneering footsteps, Jenny recommends doing a little legwork. “Talk to developers before applying. Research online, find out what skills make a good developer, what the work style is like, etc. Really do your due diligence to see if this is a career you want to dive into,” she says. “As big of a commitment that the sponsor organizations are putting into investing in you, you are giving back just as big of a commitment by devoting the next couple years of your life to becoming a developer. And if you’re not wired to be a developer, or won’t enjoy it, you want to know ahead of time.”

What’s Next

Jenny’s preparation and dedication to the Nebraska Dev Lab Pipeline Program have us excited to see what’s next for her. If the program sounds like it might be a good fit for you, application is open for the next cohort, beginning in January 2021.

If IT isn’t your thing, check out the other internship opportunities available from Nelnet.

The post Developing Dreams with the Nebraska Dev Lab Pipeline Program appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

What inspires you every day?

As corny as it sounds, it’s my relentless desire to do more. Perfect analogy for this – I ran an ultramarathon a couple years ago. People were like “why would you do that? You can already run a marathon.” Well, because it’s there. You can always stop where you are – but why? You can always do more.

How did you get into running?

I’d need to go back to 2018. I had set a goal for myself: Run a thousand miles in a year. It sounds like a fun goal, but it becomes wearing to have to run every single day to make that goal happen. I finished up the year with a thousand and change. I got it done, but there was a time that I didn’t think I was going to.

I was chosen this year to be one of the people to run in the New York City marathon for the adoption agency we used to adopt our daughter. But, because of COVID, the marathon was cancelled, so we’re hoping for a deferral to 2021 or 2022. It’s a bucket list race for sure.

How has Nelnet supported your wellness goals?

Nelnet has been a supporting member in my journey. They put the focus and emphasis on us: We’re in charge of our own wellness. I’ve worked for companies before where it’s like “here’s your insurance premium, have a nice day, sorry.” Whereas, at Nelnet, you have the power to pay as little or as much as you want to. It’s your journey. If you want to live a healthy lifestyle, you can reduce your health premiums to zero. On top of that, with the HealthyMeBuck$ reimbursement, that supplements what you need to make that happen, it’s the overall package. It’s not just words. It’s a culture from Jeff Noordhoek all the way down.

Ready to start your own wellness journey? Check out the wealth of resources available on WellAware. Not part of the Nelnet team yet? Check out our available opportunities!

The post On the Run with Erik Brown appeared first on Nelnet Inc.