Lincoln Talent Program Targets Student Retention

Local businesses are utilizing year-round networking to connect with college students before they enter the job market.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Internships

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a brass key on a stylized city grid, representing local professional career opportunities in Lincoln. — The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development is expanding its Campus LNK initiative to help college students connect with local employers and community resources. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe local community programs are effective at keeping college graduates in the area?

The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development is continuing its year-round Campus LNK program, which connects college students with local career resources. The initiative, formerly known as MyTern, aims to increase post-graduation retention in Lincoln by providing students with networking opportunities and community integration.

Why it matters

Local businesses face significant competition to attract and retain emerging talent from area institutions. This program lowers recruitment friction by directly embedding students into the professional ecosystem before they hit the job market.

Last summer, 530 students across 37 participating employers joined the program. Of those participants, 77% were already enrolled in Lincoln colleges, with 71% identified as juniors or seniors.

The players

Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development

A public-private organization focused on business retention, recruitment, and economic development in the Lincoln area.

Nebraska Wesleyan University

A private liberal arts university located in Lincoln that serves as a site for student engagement events.

The details

Campus LNK facilitates student-employer connections through a combination of digital tools and in-person networking. Students utilize a digital discount passport to access local businesses and receive a biweekly newsletter that highlights community events and professional resources. These efforts are designed to familiarize students with the city's industry landscape while they are still enrolled in degree programs.

Last summer: 530 students representing 37 employers participated in the internship program.
Every two weeks: A newsletter is distributed highlighting local events and resources.
Fall and spring semesters: The program maintains ongoing year-round operations.

Market Landscape

The Campus LNK program serves as a localized strategy to counter the national brain drain migration trend. It reflects a shift toward proactive, year-round student engagement to keep skilled graduates within the local workforce.

Operators should evaluate whether their recruitment strategy includes engagement with students before their final semester. Leveraging this program allows businesses to build a talent pipeline early, reducing the future cost of competitive hiring.

The takeaway

Building brand recognition among local students is a necessary defensive move in the current competitive labor market. Employers should monitor their participation in the biweekly newsletter and upcoming community gatherings to maximize outreach to junior and senior cohorts.