Ports of Indiana Launches College Internship Program

Why It Matters

By exposing students to real‑world port operations, the program helps address the talent shortage in Midwest supply chains and strengthens Indiana’s competitive position in global trade.

Key Takeaways

• First 15‑week internship links IU Southeast to three Indiana ports
• Intern rotates through logistics, transportation, agribusiness, and warehousing
• Program partners with four private terminal operators for broader exposure
• Aims to grow local talent pipeline for Midwest freight networks
• Supports Indiana’s goal to become a U.S. logistics hub

Pulse Analysis

Indiana’s three major ports—Burns Harbor, Jeffersonville, and the Port of Indiana—serve as critical gateways for agricultural commodities, manufactured goods, and intermodal freight moving between the Great Lakes and the Ohio River. By launching a 15‑week internship with Indiana University Southeast, the Port Authority is turning these strategic assets into living classrooms. Interns like Jonas Powers gain direct exposure to cargo handling, terminal automation, and cross‑modal coordination, bridging academic theory with the operational realities of a multimodal logistics hub.

The Midwest faces a growing skills gap as e‑commerce, just‑in‑time manufacturing, and sustainability mandates increase the complexity of supply chains. Universities are responding with supply‑chain‑focused curricula, but employers still need practical experience to translate data‑analytics training into actionable decisions on the dock. Partnerships such as this internship embed students within both public port management and private terminal operators, offering a holistic view of freight flow, regulatory compliance, and technology adoption. This model aligns with industry trends that prioritize experiential learning to accelerate talent readiness.

Long‑term, the program could serve as a template for other regional ports seeking to cultivate a homegrown workforce. As interns transition into full‑time roles, Indiana stands to retain talent that understands local infrastructure, regulatory environments, and market dynamics, reinforcing its ambition to be a national logistics hub. Moreover, the initiative signals to shippers and investors that the state is proactively investing in human capital, a factor increasingly weighed in site‑selection and supply‑chain resilience assessments.