Internship Location: Madison WI
Organization Type: Nonprofit
Policy Areas: Civic Health
During my internship with the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies, I gained a deeper understanding of how outreach and engagement strengthen civic health by building trust, promoting participation, and amplifying community voices. My coursework at La Follette helped me approach this work with a systems and equity lens—thinking critically about inclusion, accessibility, and long-term impact. I was surprised to see how many nonprofits already contribute to civic health through everyday work like food access or youth leadership, even if they don’t label it that way. What I valued most was seeing how public policy and civic action connect, and how grassroots efforts often drive systemic change. This experience affirmed my interest in a career that blends policy with community engagement, and I would highly recommend this internship to any student looking to explore that intersection.