Growing the Next Generation: Inside Canopy’s Student Program

At Canopy, we believe great ideas and meaningful work can come from anyone, including students who are just beginning their careers.

Our student program is designed to give college students the opportunity to do more than observe from the sidelines. Instead, they become real contributors to the work we do every day: building software, supporting clients, and helping tell the story of community impact.

For many students, internships are short-term experiences where they work on isolated projects that rarely leave the lab or the classroom. At Canopy, the experience looks a little different.

Our students work alongside engineers, product specialists, and client development staff on projects that directly shape the tools and resources used by universities, Extension professionals, and public service teams across the country.

Here’s a glimpse into what that experience looks like through the voices of three members of our student team.

Finding Opportunity in Unexpected Places

For many students, discovering Canopy comes as a surprise.

One student engineer shared that what first caught his attention was simply that Canopy was willing to consider freshmen for technical roles, something he hadn’t seen elsewhere.

“As an ambitious freshman… a lot of companies just shoved me off during the career fair. Canopy actually listened to me. I immediately sensed a good culture after talking with the team.”

Another student was excited to discover that a software company existed close to campus at all.

“When I saw that Canopy was a software company based right here in Manhattan, Kansas, I was immediately excited. As a computer science student, I had no idea there was a tech company in the area.”

For others, the opportunity was about finding work that aligned with their career goals for the first time.

One student who joined as a Student Client Development Specialist described discovering the job posting and realizing it matched exactly what she had been hoping to find in her college career.

These different paths all led to the same place: a chance to learn by doing.

Real Work, Real Impact

A defining feature of Canopy’s student program is that students are trusted with meaningful projects.

One student engineer described being assigned to build an early version of an importer for the Program Activities module less than a year after being hired.

“It was a much bigger project than I ever expected to be given… but I got it across the finish line, and we’ve been steadily rolling it out and improving it since.”

Students also contribute in creative and unexpected ways.

Another student designed and produced 3D-printed pear-shaped fidget toys used for marketing and outreach. What began as a learning experiment turned into something widely used by the team as well as current and future partners.

“I had absolutely no clue how to 3D model, but I wanted to learn… seeing people use them while helping the marketing side has been really fulfilling.”

Our student in the client development role also works on projects with national reach. She helped lead the development of case studies featuring PEARS partners across the country, collaborating with organizations, and helping share their stories.

“The case studies allowed me to use a lot of different skills while also getting to collaborate with partners from all over the country… they’re some of the first professional projects I ever did and I’m so proud of them.”

These projects aren’t practice exercises; they’re real contributions that shape how Canopy supports the communities we serve.

Learning What the Classroom Can’t Teach

While coursework builds important foundations, many students say their time at Canopy has helped them understand how real teams and products operate.

One student reflected on how working on a long-running software platform provides insights that are difficult to replicate in academic settings.

“I’ve learned what it’s really like to work on a team maintaining a long-running project… all the issues that come up in a real production environment.”

Others emphasized how being embedded in a year-round team environment helps them stay current in a fast-moving industry.

“Software engineering is a very fast-moving field… having a year-round internship lets me stay current all 52 weeks of the year rather than trying to catch up within a short-term internship.”

Students also gain insight into the full lifecycle of a product, from development to marketing to client support, and how cross-team collaboration shapes the final result.

A Culture That Makes the Difference

When asked about their favorite part of working at Canopy, all three students mentioned the same thing: the people.

One student described discovering that workplace culture matters more than prestige or brand names.

“I learned the value of good company culture… rather than chasing a bunch of money, I’d want to work somewhere where I never have to question the morals of my work.”

Another emphasized how meaningful it feels to be treated as a real member of the team.

“I feel like I have a voice in the company and that my opinions actually matter.”

And for students who may be far from home while attending school, the support of colleagues can make a lasting difference.

“Everyone wants to get to know you and be there for you in bad times and cheer you on in the good.”

Looking Ahead

At Canopy, our student program isn’t just about internships. It’s about mentorship, growth, and creating opportunities for the next generation of professionals to contribute meaningful work.

Our students help build features, support partners, create resources, and bring new ideas to the table. In return, they gain real-world experience, develop professional skills, and become part of a team that values curiosity, collaboration, and service.

If their experiences are any indication, they’re helping shape the future of both the technology industry and the public-good work we support.