Robust internship program helped alumnus land a job before graduating SCSU

Technology has interested Keith Henneman since he was a child, working on computers in school.

“My parents helped me purchase my first computer when I was a freshman in high school. They purchased it for me because I was interested and I just kind of clung to it from there. I think the technology element — using technology to advance companies, better lives, make things easier on people — that's an exciting part, and still to this day is exciting because it's changing all the time,” he said. “You can't get comfortable. It's a constant state of being uncomfortable and learning new things. As we know, technology can be our best friend and worst enemy in the same day, depending on how things are going. But it's definitely an important part to the businesses, the industries that I've supported previously. And it's been an exciting space to be in.”

Henneman attended St. Cloud State University, initially drawn to the campus thanks to its business school’s reputation and national accreditation.

“What really drew me to SCSU was the business program through the Herberger Business School. That was really enticing to me,” he said. “I wanted to do something in the technology field, but I also wanted a very strong business emphasis. And that (business computers and information systems) degree really molded the two together perfectly for me.”

While on campus Henneman was involved in a Business Computers Information Systems Club as well as an E-Commerce Club, in addition to working part-time in the technology field for an area business. He liked that SCSU brought quite a few companies to the campus through job fairs and in different courses, which eventually led to Henneman building connections with 3M. He was able to intern with the company between his junior and senior year, and by the time he finished the internship and started his last year at St. Cloud State, he had a full-time job offer waiting for him upon graduation in 2004.

Through his nearly 20 years with 3M, Henneman said he worked in about seven different technology-related positions. He experienced everything on the company’s tech side from working the help desk, to application support, supporting six manufacturing sites from a technology standpoint, and everything in between.

Eventually an opportunity presented itself for Henneman to start a new chapter in his career. Since 2023 he has worked for Form-A-Feed, where he is currently the director of technology services. While he is a Form-A-Feed employee, he supports technology services for overall owner Nelson Family Companies as well.

“I manage our technology team for all the Nelson Family Companies, but Form-A-Feed is the specific one that I'm an employee for,” he said. “We do everything technology, everything from day-to-day support, software support, hardware support, network administration, cloud administration, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity — all those things you'd find in a typical technology space.”

Henneman encouraged students to attend college fairs and job fairs like he did.

“I remember sitting in the ballroom at SCSU and attending them and being uncomfortable. You know, you have your resumes, you're kind of dressed up, you want to make an impression — but try to be comfortable being uncomfortable in those situations where you just have to roll up your sleeves, because they do help,” he said. “You never know who you're going to meet or what that'll lead to. Set yourself apart and be involved and learn.”