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Bronco Corps

Putting Students to Work for Idaho Small Businesses and Nonprofits

Bronco Corps is a paid internship program coordinated by the College of Business and Economics that supports Idaho small businesses and nonprofits. Through generous donor funding, this program connects students to high-need community projects and professional experience.

Interns interacting with supervisors

What Does Bronco Corps Do?

Creates Partners for Success

Bronco Corps leverages the power of philanthropic giving and the ingenuity of students to ensure the continued viability of Idaho’s small business and nonprofit community.

This program is an innovative approach to real-world learning and community impact.

Read more about Bronco Corps

Provides Professional Experience for Students

Students can find paid positions through Bronco Corps to support Idaho’s small business and nonprofit community, and gain valuable professional skills. This program is open to all actively enrolled students.

Positions post February, the program runs May – August.

Students find Bronco Corps positions here

Assists Small Businesses and Nonprofits

Small businesses and nonprofits that might be facing a lack of financial resources work alongside the Bronco Corps administrative team to craft an internship opportunity, fully funded. Once approved, positions post online where students apply for summer participation.

Interest form is open May – December, outreach begins January.

Employers complete our interest form online

Impact by the numbers

*since August 2020

$164k

paid in student compensation

115

internships created

87

small businesses and nonprofits served
Intern Experience

Emily Baeza, Retail Operations Intern

Being a part of a new business opening was very exciting. I enjoyed learning about how to run a business and helping out with displays. I appreciated being a part of this opportunity and I learned lots of new things that can help me with my future career. Thank you!

Employer Experience

Christina Maag, Founder + CEO of Hoopla

We have hired two interns from the Bronco Corps program. Our first intern has transitioned to working part-time at the company and will be with us for two years in October.

We had so many great candidates for the second intern we hired. With the guidance of COBE Career Services, we were able to craft a great internship description. We interviewed 8 qualified candidates and selected one for the Spring of 2024. Our second intern took the lead in creating a social media calendar and strategy for our company. She graduated in May and moved back to San Diego, but we would have hired her in a heartbeat. She has left a lasting impression and strategy our company continues to leverage in our marketing plan.

Employer Experience

David Anderson, Founder & Executive Director of Canopy Watch

“Thank you very much for this amazing opportunity. Our intern was one of the best things that has happened to Canopy Watch in our first two years of existence. She performed at a high level, was able to be independent while working remotely, and always conducted herself professionally. She moved the needle forward us. A total win-win!”

Frequently Asked Questions

Student Questions

How do students apply?

First, review open positions on the COBE Internship & Job Board. Positions are posted February – April.

Once you have found a position you are interested in, log into Handshake and submit an application to the participating small business or nonprofit.

Need help preparing your application materials or practicing for interviews? Schedule a career coaching appointment.

Can students apply to more than one position?

Students can apply to as many positions as they are interested in and qualified for.

However, students may only participate in a maximum of two Bronco Corps positions, which may not be completed simultaneous.

Which students are eligible to participate?

Participating students must be actively enrolled in a degree program at Boise State. All majors and graduate programs can participate.

Additionally, students must meet minimum qualifications listed by hiring company or organization for each position they apply to.

For international students, there may be additional eligibility requirements. Check these resources to determine if you can participate as an international student.

Note, Bronco Corps interns are hired through the university, so this type of work is typically classified as a campus job.

Are Bronco Corps positions paid?

Yes. All positions are paid $15 an hour, up to 160 hours per position.

Can students get academic credit for a Bronco Corps position?

Academic credit is optional. Students who have been hired for a Bronco Corps position may apply for credit with completion of the Boise State Internship Application.

Through this process, department approval and adherence to application deadlines are required. Learn more and apply for internship credit here.

Small Business and Nonprofit Questions

How can small businesses and nonprofits get involved?

If your company or organization is in need of a paid intern, please complete our interest survey before December. Our administrative staff will review submissions and reach out to those selected in January.

We also welcome referrals. Feel free to spread the word within your network.

What types of organizations are eligible to participate?

Participating organizations must be a licensed small business or nonprofit operating in Idaho. Bronco Corps targets organizations with less than 50 employees, who otherwise would not be able to compensate an intern.

What is required of participating organizations?

Organizations are accountable for the following, with assistance from the Bronco Corps administrative team:

  • Adhering to Boise State’s Employer User Policy
  • Writing a clear internship/project description
  • Creating a Handshake account and posting the position
  • Selecting students to interview; scheduling and conducting interviews
  • Selecting students to hire; offering the position
  • Defining the internship scope; assigning appropriate tasks and projects
  • Tracking and confirming hours worked every two weeks
  • Providing an attentive supervisor/mentor; giving regular guidance, evaluation, and feedback to hired students

What is the cost to organizations?

Boise State compensates students, therefore there is no financial obligation. The program is designed to be a resource to small businesses and nonprofits.

Is there a limit on the number of students organizations can hire?

Participating organizations can hire up to two students, depending on need and capacity for supervision/mentorship.

Bronco Corps Program Contacts

Laura Chiuppi – contact for employer questions

Director of COBE Career Services

laurachiuppi@boisestate.edu

Monique Halgat – contact for student questions

Career Coordinator in COBE Career Services

moniquehalgat@boisestate.edu

Perrine Blakley – contact for giving questions

Sr. Director of Development for COBE

perrineblakley@boisestate.edu