Internship summaries: graduate

“The experience gave me an appreciation for the critical role that local government plays in our day to day lives, and renewed my passion for local level work.”

“This experience taught me the importance of cultural competency and equity in public management, as well as the challenges of balancing limited resources with the need to provide comprehensive, inclusive services.”

“I am excited to be wrapping up my part in the SWIB audit and to see the full report released in Fall 2024. I would recommend this internship to students who are interested in state politics and are able to be nonpartisan.”

“I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to data management and analysis, a field that I’m eager to explore further. Working with an all-women team has been particularly inspiring, aligning with my passion for women’s empowerment and providing me with a strong support system.”

“Through this internship and the work I was engaging with, I have been able to develop my analytical skills gained through my coursework and hone my ability to communicate lengthy complex ideas into concise summaries. The ability to understand and communicate policy effectively will be of critical importance to my career moving forward…”

“The most valuable aspect was the hands-on experience in policy development and analysis, and the opportunity to network with high-level policymakers.”

“I would 100% recommend this internship to future students. This experience has reinforced my interest in working in local/state governments or non-profits and highlighted how invaluable knowledge on policies, research, and skills in policy development and recommendations are to developing changes and ensuring equitable access to all people.”

“This experience enhanced my understanding of housing policy and its practical applications. One important lesson I learned is the value of building rapport with tenants to ensure they feel recognized and supported.”

“Supported by the La Follette School Summer Public Affairs Learning Experience (SPLE) Award Program, this internship allowed me to put into practice the invaluable skills from my MPA program, particularly in policy analysis and public management…I realized just how much my La Follette coursework had prepared me.”

“This experience has given me the opportunity to employ strategies from my MPA, such as the use of a stakeholder analysis, and has shown me how important it is to have systems-thinking when making policy decisions.”