Internship Location: Madison, WI
Organization Type: State government
Policy Areas: Labor policy
During my summer internship with the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Management, I served as a Human Resources Continuous Improvement Intern, working closely with the Administrative Office Team. This role offered me a unique opportunity to apply my academic knowledge in a practical setting, enhancing my skills and understanding of public policy and administration. Key Learnings: * Navigating Difficult Conversations: I learned the importance of addressing challenging issues with stakeholders through open and honest communication. This fostered a collaborative and transparent work environment, which was crucial for effective problem- solving and decision-making. * Evidence-Based Policy Analysis: My skills in conducting policy analysis and proposing strategic recommendations were significantly enhanced. By critically evaluating existing policies and formulating data-driven recommendations, I contributed to meaningful policy improvements. The skills I acquired at La Follette were instrumental during my internship. Principles from my public management coursework helped me navigate organizational dynamics and administrative processes, enabling me to propose viable policy changes smoothly. My training in stakeholder engagement analysis was directly applicable, allowing me to conduct thorough analyses, identify key stakeholders, and engage them effectively. Additionally, my coursework in group decision- making informed my approach to collaborative problem-solving, facilitating group discussions, encouraging diverse viewpoints, and using consensus-building techniques. These skills were crucial in developing well-supported recommendations and enhancing my overall effectiveness in the internship.
What surprised me most was the depth of collaboration and the emphasis on evidence-based practices within the Division of Personnel Management. I was impressed by how passionate and dedicated the Division of Personnel Management employees (DPM) are in supporting the State government in serving the people of Wisconsin through their collaborative efforts. The most valuable aspect of my internship was the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge from my coursework in a practical setting. This included conducting policy analysis by reviewing the Wisconsin Human Resource Handbook, statutory and administrative codes, and proposing strategic policy recommendations. This hands-on experience bridged the gap between academic learning and real-world application, significantly enhancing my practical skills, competencies, and understanding of public policy work. Due to how beneficial this internship experience has been for me; I will highly recommend this internship to future students. It offers a rich learning experience, opportunities to engage in meaningful policy work, and enhances practical skills and competencies essential for a career in public policy and administration. In conclusion, this internship helped me realize that I thrive in environments prioritizing collaborative decision-making and empirical evidence in policy development. It deepened my understanding of the importance of data-driven approaches and stakeholder engagement, which I will emphasize in my future career. Additionally, it highlighted other areas where my public policy training will be useful, broadening my perspective on how to effectively apply my skills in various contexts.