Scholarships and Internships
EMPOWERING FUTURES THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS
At Aksarben, we’re dedicated to building a stronger future for Nebraska by connecting education to employment. Through our Scholarships and Internships initiative, we provide financial support to students pursuing training in STEM fields and connect them to career-aligned internship opportunities. This combination helps students gain hands-on experience, preparing them to contribute to Nebraska’s workforce.
Research shows students who complete two internships in Nebraska are more likely to stay and launch their careers here. Our scholarships support students across Nebraska’s community colleges, state colleges, universities, and certificate programs, empowering them to succeed and drive economic growth.
INTERNSHIP & CAREER EXPLORATION PLATFORMS
INTERNSHIP PLATFORMS
Handshake is a go-to platform for internships and job opportunities. Log in with your student email to apply, register for events, and connect with employers.
Create a strong profile to showcase your skills, connect with professionals, and explore career paths. Use the “Easy Apply” feature to submit applications quickly.
Symplicity offers job and internship listings curated by your college’s career services team. Log in to apply, attend virtual fairs, and manage your career planning.
CAREER EXPLORATION PLATOFRMS
CareerPathway.com is a web-based platform that connects individuals with career and education opportunities — bringing career exploration, education, and hiring into one seamless experience.
Find the Why! is a gamified mobile platform where students and young people compete in 7-day challenges to solve business problems. Virtual internships, thousands of scholarship dollars, and even cash prizes are all on the line.
INTERNSHIP PREP TIMELINE
WHY INTERNSHIPS MATTER
Get hands-on experience in your field
Build your professional network
Stand out to future employers
Discover what you’re passionate about (and what you’re not!)
While you can apply year-round, fall is when many employers begin actively searching for interns for the upcoming summer.
Summer/Fall
- Explore career interests and update your resume
- Create or update LinkedIn and Handshake profiles
- Attend career fairs or networking events
Winter
- Research companies and set alerts on internship platforms
- Request letters of recommendation
- Practice your interview skills
Spring
- Apply! Be ready to follow up and track application statuses
- Secure housing or transportation if needed
- Prep for your summer internship with confidence
OUR PARTNERS
The Aksarben Foundation’s scholarship partners include community colleges across all six of Nebraska’s regions, as well as Iowa Western Community College, along with the Teammates Mentoring Program. For more information on applying for the Aksarben Scholars program at any of these institutions, please contact the financial aid office at the college. These scholarships are available for students pursuing training in High Wage, High Skill, High Demand (H3) fields. To learn more about H3 fields in Nebraska, click here.
SCHOLARSHIP PARTNERS
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
STUDENT AMBASSADORS
The Student Ambassador Program is a peer-led initiative that increases awareness of career pathways and internship opportunities across Nebraska. Ambassadors serve as trusted campus leaders, connecting students to real-world experiences.
Beginning in Fall 2026, the program will focus on Aksarben Scholars, including Wayne State Co-op students, allowing for deeper investment in students already engaged in Aksarben’s talent pathways.
Ambassadors participate in up to two campus events each season, such as hosting speed networking events with employers, building skills in leadership, public speaking, and professional outreach while supporting their peers. Participants receive a stipend upon completing their seasonal requirements and take part in regular check-ins to stay connected and supported.
NORTHEAST
Braxton Dalton
Wayne State College, Business Marketing
“I joined the Aksarben Student Ambassador Program to help fellow students launch their careers through the fantastic internship opportunities available in Nebraska. Having had the privilege of participating in some incredible internship experiences myself, I am passionate about helping others kickstart their careers by linking them to these valuable experiences.”
Emily Woockman
Wayne State College, Agribusiness and Economics
“I joined the Aksarben Student Ambassador Program because I am passionate about connecting students with meaningful internship opportunities that help them grow both personally and professionally. As someone who has benefited from internships in the agriculture and business sectors, I understand how valuable hands-on experience can be in shaping career goals. Through this program, I hope to encourage other students to seek out internships that align with their interests, build their skills, and expand their networks.”
METRO
Aiden Walswick
Midland University, Accounting & Business Intelligence and Technology (B.I.T.)
“I’m a junior at Midland University, double majoring in Accounting and Business Intelligence & Technology (BIT), and serving as an Admissions Ambassador Leader. I’m gaining hands-on experience as a Tax Intern at Lee Neville Tax, LLC, and will be joining Lutz for a summer internship in 2025. I also serve as the Vice President of Finance for Nebraska FBLA-Collegiate and stay active in our campus chapter. I’m on track to graduate in May 2026 with 150 credits to sit for the CPA exam, ready to launch my career in accounting and business analytics.”
Tasha Baxter
Midland University Graduate, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
“I recently graduated from Midland University with my B.S.BA degree. I majored in Business Administration with an emphasis on Project Management. I was actively involved in FBLA-Collegiate while attending Midland, as well as in Leadership Midland, serving as an Ambassador for the Aksarben Foundation at Midland, and participating in the Midland Mentorship program. Outside of Midland, I was actively involved as the VP Administration for the PMI Heartland/Iowa Chapter, Leadership Fremont, a volunteer for the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, Women with Voices, and Catz Angels.
I enjoy meeting and talking to new people, and I believe in the power of conversation to inspire and inform. This program would let me combine that passion with a meaningful purpose—helping others discover internships that can open doors and build real-world experience. “
Michael Lathan Jr.
Metropolitan Community College, IT-Cybersecurity (Minor in Computer Science)
“I’m a cybersecurity-focused student building a specialization in Zero Trust, threat analysis, and blockchain/DeFi security. I’m highly systems-driven, focused on practical labs, hands-on troubleshooting, and turning learning into real-world execution. I’m passionate about helping others break into tech by simplifying the process: strong resumes, confident interviewing, and building proof through projects. I bring a disciplined, service-oriented mindset, and I enjoy mentoring and supporting peers as they move from “interested” to “internship-ready.””
CENTRAL
Nina-Li McNay
University of Nebraska at Kearney, Interior Design
“I became a Student Ambassador to help students push past self-doubt and believe in their potential. I want to be a reminder that internships and dream careers are within reach!”
STUDENT AMBASSADOR COACHES
NORTHEAST
Terri Heggemeyer
Northeast Community College, Director of Career Services
Director of Career Services at Northeast Community College. Employed in higher education for 30+ years. Credentials include Master of Business Administration, Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW), and Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP), and a long time Member of National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Tracy Lungrin
Wayne State College, Director of Career Services & Workforce Development
As Director of Career Services at Wayne State College, I lead efforts to embed career readiness across campus so every student has the skills, networks, and opportunities to succeed. Alongside my incredible team, we’ve modernized career resources, strengthened employer engagement, and expanded recruiting opportunities through impactful career fairs and events.
METRO
Andre Tan
Career Experiences Coordinator for Information Technology students at Metropolitan Community College
Andre Tan is the Career Experiences Coordinator for Information Technology students at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska. He is an education enthusiast and has worked in several roles in K-12 education as a teacher, in educational technology, and most recently in higher education. His personal passion in IT is in integration of technology tools to enhance learning experiences. In his current role, he works with students to build career identity, widen career connections and networks, as well as maximize work-based learning opportunities to produce quality and competitive candidates in IT fields.
CENTRAL
Emily Beaman
Assistant Director of Career Development – University of Nebraska at Kearney
I work in the Academic Advising and Career Development Office as the Assistant Director of Career Development, where I collaborate with faculty and other campus partners to prepare students for life after graduation. This includes hosting four career fairs each year, presenting in classrooms, and providing services such as resume reviews and practice interviewing.
UPCOMING EVENTS
EVENT SPONSORS
2025 SUMMER BASEBALL MIXER SPONSORS
