Students can meet and work with La Follette School alumni and friends, many of whom hold important positions in international organizations; federal, state, and local government agencies; nonprofit organizations; and private business.
Ways to connect
Many La Follette School alumni and friends share information about their jobs and workplaces, participate in professional development functions that highlight their knowledge and experience, and provide informational interviews for students.
Mentoring
Alumni also serve as mentors, meaning students can arrange to meet with them two or more times to talk about career opportunities, visit a work site, discuss interviews, and/or review resumes.
How to get alumni contact information
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Talk to La Follette School Career Services Coordinator and staff
Talk to the Career Services Coordinator, Associate Director, student services staff, outreach staff, or the University Relations Specialist
Badger Bridge
Look alumni up on Badger Bridge (access limited to University of Wisconsin–Madison students & alumni).
Badger Bridge is a UW-Madison specific networking tool that allows you to both re-connect with old classmates as well as enabling you to utilize the trusted UW-Madison environment to expand your professional network.
Find and contact them via the alumni search feature on the La Follette LinkedIn Page; and/or the UW LinkedIn Page.
Don’t forget to check the LinkedIn page for your undergraduate school if it was not UW. You may have double the alumni to call on for assistance!
UW Alumni Facebook Groups
Join UW alumni groups on Facebook related to the city where you hope to live.
Examples: DC Badgers, Big Apple Badgers, Mile High Alumni, Chicago Badgers, etc…
Employer websites
You can try to find alumni contact information on their employer’s web site
If you find alumni information is out of date, please email alumni@lafollette.wisc.edu so staff can follow up with alumni to update.
Alumni News and Profiles
Alumni News
Graduation ceremony speakers spread message of hope
On Sunday, May 14, the La Follette School’s master’s degree graduates, including 37 MPA students and 13 MIPA students, celebrated their graduation in the Wisconsin Capitol’s Assembly Chamber.
Alumni news – May 2023
Drawing on their diverse talents, our alumni's new roles include a budget and policy analyst, a grassroots advocacy manager, a deputy chief of staff, a contributing writer, and more!
Alumni news – April 2023
Our alumni have been sharing their policy expertise in articles, presentations, and new roles.
144 alumni and friends support students on Day of the Badger
For the third year in a row, La Follette School alumni and friends rallied to support students during Day of the Badger.
Photo gallery: Tamara Keith visit and Alumni & Friends Reception
NPR White House correspondent Tamara Keith served as the school's spring 2023 Public Affairs Journalist in residence and gave a public presentation after the annual Alumni and Friends reception.
- More Alumni News
Alumni Profiles
Karina Virrueta Running, MPA ’17
"The workshop course was as challenging as it was rewarding. I also made lasting friendships with my peers and the professors."
Hilary Shager, MPA ’05
"La Follette is the epitome of the Wisconsin Idea. And it’s certainly not just about Wisconsin—the staff and faculty have done so much to connect students with alumni and new, real-world opportunities."
Sophia Rogers, MPA ’19
"La Follette has prepared and empowered all of us to do amazing things."
Muhammed Fofana, MPA ’22
"The client-based project was one of my favorite experiences at La Follette. I worked with a great team of faculty, client, and classmates."
Jess Rutstein, MPA ’20
Alum Jess Rutstein works as a FoodShare Program and policy analyst for the WI Department of Health Services.
- More Alumni Profiles