How does Nelnet rank with the best companies for internships? To find out, we spoke with Senior Recruiting Manager Lisa Meyer and Intern Program Lead Jordan Paul. We also compared their feedback to an AI-generated list of qualities associated with the best internship programs—and Nelnet checked every box.
Career Development Support
Nelnet offers four types of internships: an IT internship; a legal internship; a traditional internship (working in a department such as accounting, recruiting, innovation, marketing, or finance), and our Nelnet Pathway internship.
Meyer emphasizes, “One of the unique things that Nelnet offers is our Pathway Program, which gives interns an opportunity to rotate through four eight-week tracks that aligns with their major and explore different teams.”
Meyer adds that this gives students an opportunity to dive deeper into related roles they may not have explored.
For traditional interns, Paul highlights personalized support: “Many managers spend regular one-on-one time with them. Our traditional interns, especially within our IT program, often have mentors as well. There’s a great deal of support and resources available.”
Clear Expectations and Goals
Success starts with clarity. “Our goal is to ensure interns have a clear understanding of expectations and goals,” Paul says. We begin during the recruiting process with the job description and talk about them throughout their interviews. Additionally, Pathway interns attend an in-person orientation which further dives into expectations.”
Once onboarded, managers outline responsibilities, working hours, and available resources. Meyer notes that most interns work about 15 to 20 hours per week. “That time goes pretty fast by the time they arrive, do their work, and attend team meetings,” she adds.
Says Meyer, “We plan our events from a holistic approach, ensuring they have opportunities for professional and personal growth, and wellness and community. We follow our core values—even finding opportunities for interns to volunteer within their communities.”
Meaningful Work
Nelnet interns function as part of the team. “They’re embedded within the team, contributing, working, and learning alongside associates,” says Meyer.
Our interns perform real work that is valuable and meaningful to the company. They help drive our initiatives forward, working alongside full-time team members. They have that mentorship and guidance of a subject matter experts to support them along the way.
Nelnet Intern Program Lead
By being included in all aspects of Nelnet’s culture and engaging in opportunities for learning by doing, interns experience Nelnet in a significant way, discovering what it is to be an associate.
Networking Opportunities
While many internship opportunities may not offer interaction with an organization’s executives, that’s not the case at Nelnet. Meyers points out, “There’s a lot of opportunity for learning, interacting with our C-suite, asking questions to Mike [Dunlap], Jeff [Noordhoek], and Terry [Heimes]—the whole group. That’s really valuable.”
Paul adds, “As their schedules allow, we encourage interns to attend any team or department meeting. We also have events where we have different business lines come in and talk about their products.” Organization-wide events like these and others are prime opportunities for interns to meet and interact with associates from all areas.
Feedback and Evaluation
Meyer notes that each leader is asked to have a weekly one-on-one with their intern. “It’s a great opportunity to combine learning for all of us. We answer questions about how their schooling really pertains to the real world and provide feedback on the work they’re doing. They talk about what they’re learning in college and how that applies to corporate America and vice versa. As a result, we learn from them as well.”
Meyer notes, “Internships are often viewed as a working interview, and it gives the intern an opportunity to interview Nelnet as an employer. We want them to have as close of an experience to being an associate as possible.”
Dedicated Mentorship
According to Meyer, “It’s important not to underestimate the value of the mentorship that goes along with that weekly one-on-one. In addition, we have a Mentorship Program outside of their leader or their one-on-one.”
Nelnet’s Mentorship Committee carefully pairs mentors and mentees for a six months. While not all interns are involved in Nelnet’s Mentorship Program, some of them—particularly those in IT—have the additional layer of mentoring support this provides.
Positive Company Culture
“While some companies may offer higher wages, I think the opportunity and the culture at Nelnet really sets us apart,” says Meyer. “Interns know they’ll have the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way. Gen Z really gets that pay is not a top requirement. They’re looking for the whole package.”
We hear a lot of feedback that this is overall a great experience, great leadership at Nelnet, and a meaningful experience with relationships they’ll keep as mentors even after their internship has ended.
Nelnet Senior Recruiting Manager
Competitive Compensation
According to Meyer, “We evaluate pay every two years to ensure we’re competitive on the national market and also on the regional or local market.”
While interns aren’t eligible for benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance, Meyer points out that they are eligible for 401(k) and Nelnet’s Employee Assistance Program. Interns can also participate in wellness challenges using Nelnet’s wellness platform to qualify for a $100 quarterly incentive.
Opportunities for Learning and Development
Interns are encouraged to access free online trainings through Nelnet University based on their areas of interest. In addition, Paul offers programming based on feedback received over the years from intern groups, such as helping interns discover their CliftonStrengths.
Much of the learning and training is driven by the interests of interns. For example, Meyer and Paul say interns have asked executives what to do with their first paycheck when they graduate from college. This sparked a session for interns on financial planning led by Nelnet Business Services President DeeAnn Wenger.
Recognition and Appreciation
Nelnet ensures interns feel valued. Meyer says, “We present interns with a gift item around finals week to acknowledge the challenging situation they’re in. They’re balancing a job and finals, and so a physical gift shows them, ‘Hey, we’ve got you.’”
At the end of each Pathway internship, we hold an event and invite their leaders, mentors, and our executives to attend so they can learn more about the projects and contributions our interns have worked on. It’s really an opportunity to celebrate what they’ve accomplished.
Nelnet Senior Recruiting Manager
We also hold an event to recognize and show appreciation for Nelnet’s graduating interns. Adds Meyer, “For any of our seniors who are graduating, we hold a ceremony at Nelnet. It’s really another opportunity to learn about what they’ve accomplished during their internships and celebrate that next step, whether they’re staying with us in a full-time role or they’ve decided to go to grad school or whatever that next step in their career looks like.”
Join One of the Best Internship Programs
Nelnet internships offer more than just work experience—they immerse you in the company’s culture, provide meaningful projects, and help you grow professionally and personally. Explore our programs and discover what #LifeAtNelnet is all about.
