Edge District intern programs prove companies and students alike are looking for a commitment
OUT: Graduating, and then getting a job.
IN: Getting a job, and then graduating.
Waiting to walk the stage before landing a job is so 20th century.
More and more K-State students are securing full-time employment in their senior or even junior year, proving the practice is more than a trend. And why not close that stressful gap between your last day as a student and the first day of the rest of your life? You have a real-deal apartment lease and real-deal groceries to buy — you need a real-deal paycheck!
Students and employers have wised up to a workforce workaround that “suits” everyone.
Practice makes professional
In K-State’s Edge District on the north end of the Manhattan campus, companies are claiming office space right in students’ backyard. This way, they can expand their internships to a year-round experience that often ends with a job offer.
John Scott, a project engineer at Kansas City-based Burns and McDonnell, says there’s additional opportunity beyond the traditional summer internship.
“Just as our interns begin to learn and contribute in meaningful ways, August arrives and they return to Manhattan for a new semester,” he said.
“But with our Edge location, they can stay involved with our company and continue to grow, even as full-time students.”
Student frustration is no different. Just as they hit a groove, everything comes to a screeching halt.
“This internship is one of the most sought-after programs in construction, due to their dedication to intern success and understanding,” said Andrew Reahr, senior in construction science and management and an intern at Edge-tenant McCownGordon Construction. “It lets me truly learn an estimator’s role, but it’s flexible with my classes and lets me join campus organizations, too. I was able to sign for a full-time position before my last semester, so I can focus on my schooling while I develop within the company.”
Keeping up with the competition
Co-location in the Edge District has kicked off a recruitment renaissance, but companies also collaborate with K-State to tailor curricula to the needs of their industries.
“Our company has deployed internship programs at multiple universities, but the partnership we have with K-State sets the benchmark for how we recruit talent,” said Ramin Cherafat, chief executive officer at McCownGordon. “This close to campus, we can build a presence with not only the students, but also the faculty.”
Learn more about partnering with the Edge District.
Prime partners
- National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, USDA
- Garmin
- WTC Fiber
- Stormont Vail Health
- Kansas Department of Agriculture
- Sink Gordon Accountants/Advisors
- Wildcat NIL
- SurePoint Ag Systems
Engineering company Burns and McDonnell used its Edge location to establish a dedicated Student Success Center, and the results prove it was a smart move. Read more about what they’re doing in a Tale of Two Pipelines.
