UNO Hosts Career Connect Symposium to Promote Paid Internships and Workforce Development

Highlights

• Shonna Dorsey, Executive Director of internNE, delivered a keynote address on the critical role of internships in career development and how programs like Career Connect enhance student employability.

• A panel of UNO students, including interns from Scoular, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co, and Union Pacific, offered firsthand accounts of their internship experiences.

• The event featured practical breakout sessions, including résumé reviews, elevator pitch preparation, and complimentary professional headshots, equipping students with essential tools for their job search and career advancement.

On Monday, Sept. 9, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) hosted its annual Career Connect Symposium in the Milo Bail Student Center on Dodge campus. This event, orchestrated by UNO’s Career Services department, highlighted the university's commitment to bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world professional experience.

Opening and Keynote Address

The symposium commenced with a warm welcome from Levi Thiele, UNO’s director of Career Services, who set the stage for an event filled with valuable insights and networking opportunities for students in any phase of their higher education journey.

"Career Connect was designed to expand access to paid internships and encourage student participation. It’s making the internship experience more accessible and inclusive for all our students, which is really our goal—ensuring that every student on campus can participate in at least one paid internship during their time here,” Thiele continued to explain why paid internships have become increasingly crucial for students.

“Paid internships are important because they provide students with valuable career experience without financial barriers that might limit their opportunities, allowing them to focus on their personal and career growth. We have the support of over 140 dedicated employers who have pledged to offer paid internships to our UNO students. In the past year alone, they have posted more paid internship openings than we have students enrolled on campus,” said Thiele.

UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, provided opening remarks, emphasizing the significance of career readiness in today’s competitive job market.

“Our goal as a university is to create connections and bring great work together. We train our students and connect them with excellent employers. Over the past three years, UNO has undeniably demonstrated its commitment to becoming a leading urban university that is highly responsive to workforce needs,” said Li. “I often tell people that we are the largest talent development agency in the state of Nebraska. As an urban university, we transform lives by ensuring that our students are gainfully employed and ready for their future careers.”

The keynote address was delivered by Shonna Dorsey, Executive Director of internNE. Dorsey’s inspiring talk focused on the role of internships in shaping career paths and the impact of collaborative programs like Career Connect in enhancing students' employability.

Panel Discussions

The event featured a dynamic Recruiter Panel moderated by Levi Thiele. Panelists included:

• Kailyn Bonnema from Mutual of Omaha
• Ciara Barron from Scoular
• Marcela Morales from Union Pacific

These professionals shared their perspectives on the current job market and the skills they seek in potential interns.

Following the recruiter panel, Jeffrey Southall, II, UNO’s associate director of Student Service and Leadership Collaborative, highlighted the success stories and milestones achieved through the Career Connect program.

Student and Recruiter Interactions

Ishani Adidam, UNO Student Regent and Student Body President, offered closing remarks before transitioning into the student panel.

The panel featured:

• Anastasia Hemmingson, Tax and Internal Controls Intern at Scoular
• Jerry Brito-Mendoza, Human Resources Intern at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska
• Ishani Adidam, Human Resources Intern at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co
• Samantha Barrett, Marketing and Sales Intern at Union Pacific

The student panelists shared their personal internship experiences, offering valuable advice and tips for their peers.

Networking and Professional Development

The symposium concluded with a series of breakout sessions designed to further assist students in their professional journey. Participants took advantage of résumé reviews, introduction prep, elevator pitches, and complimentary professional headshot photos.