OMAHA- While student academic achievement is the primary mission of every university, the importance of building connections between students and prospective employers — primarily through internships — is undeniable.

A recent study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that in 2021, students who worked paid internships were nearly twice as likely to receive a job offer than those who didn’t take on an internship at all.

Nebraska has lost 2,000 college-educated people per year to other states over the last 10 years. To make matters worse, 72% of those losses are from individuals between the ages of 20 to 29 years old. Added up over time, the lost economic potential is staggering.

Earlier this month UNO announced partnerships with nearly 50 Omaha-based companies and non-profits called UNO Career Connect to close this gap. Through this program, partner employers that include Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and nonprofits pledge a certain number of internship positions to UNO students.

For employers, it provides a new level of access to the talent they need to move their businesses forward. Most importantly, for our state, it keeps top talent in Nebraska, effectively turning the tide against brain drain.

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