Wisconsin Policy Forum

Internship Location: Remote

Organization Type: Nonprofit

Policy Areas: Research

In Spring 2021, I continued my internship at the Wisconsin Policy Forum, a nonpartisan policy research organization that provides informed analysis of critical policy issues affecting local governments, school districts, and the state of Wisconsin at large. Under the guidance of the Forum’s Research Director, I worked on a project for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to research its structure, governance, financing, outcomes, and offer forward looking recommendations to allow it to better meet the needs of its students especially the large proportion of under-represented minority students that the university serves. I also worked on the 2021-23 Wisconsin State Budget Brief. Through the course of my internship, I gained valuable policy research and writing skills along with learning Tableau and new tricks in Microsoft Excel. I gathered, analyzed, and visualized quantitative data, presented findings in the form of short (1 to 2 page) briefs, and wrote draft reports.  The internship has trained me to find my feet as a policy analyst and granted me a deeper appreciation for my Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree. It has also provided insights into opportunities in the research and think tank sectors for a policy graduate. I am thankful to the Wisconsin Policy Forum’s team for being great mentors and for providing me with such a fruitful learning experience.