Through the Labs for Industry Futures and Transformation (LIFT) grant, awarded by the Lilly Endowment to the University of Notre Dame and South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership, the LIFT Network Internship Program connects students from regional colleges and universities to internships at local companies focused on advanced industries such as technology, manufacturing, data science and analytics, supply chain or logistics management, and research and development.

Program partners include the the University of Notre Dame's Center for Civic Innovation, enFocus, IT Sector Partnership, Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, and the South Bend Regional Chamber.

The model of the LIFT Network Internship program must align with the aims of the overall award to increase productivity, improve resilience, and increase the supply of an advanced workforce for our region’s mobility cluster companies. Eligibility requirements are as follows:

• Internship duration must total a minimum of 300 internship hours over at least 8 weeks between May and August 2021.
• Company must compensate student interns at least $12/hour.
• Company should encourage intern attendance at LIFT Network Internship events that occur during lunch hours or after work.
• Company must be a for-profit organization located within Elkhart, Marshall, or St. Joseph County.
• Company must operate within manufacturing, logistics, technology, or related industry OR;
• Company must create an engineering, technology, or other advanced position with an industry not listed above (examples: an information technology internship for a financial services organization, a data analyst intern for a healthcare organization).

PROGRAM CONTACT

Please direct any questions to Hunter Guthrie, the LIFT Network Internship Project Manager, at LIFTNetwork@southbendelkhart.org.

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS

We understand that COVID-19 may disrupt typical internship plans for employers. If your company needs assistance in planning an internship with the unique circumstances surrounding the pandemic, we are here to help. Our team has experience in designing remote and hybrid internship experiences, and we will work with you to ensure a successful internship experience for your LIFT Network Interns.