Internship Board

This board is intended to assist students looking for internships related to the Political Science major. Internship opportunities listed on this website do not imply endorsement by the Department of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The Department of Political Science does not endorse or recommend any products, processes, services or views held by potential employers.

Please note that not all internships listed on this board may qualify for the PS315 course. Visit our Internships Page for more information about working as an intern and earning credit for internships.

List of Current Internship Postings

wdt_ID Position title Host Location Time frame Industry/Focus Deadline Type
25 Intern State Senator Jeff Smith Madison, WI Rolling Government Unspecified Internship: Unpaid
99 Intern WISH Washington D.C Rolling Various (Visit Website) Rolling Internship
176 NSA Student Programs National Security Agency Washington D.C., Texas, Colorado, various cities Rolling Government, Research, Varies Apply 1 year in advance Internship: Unpaid
356 Intern Illinois Opportunity Project Remote Unspecified Public Policy, Research, Government Unspecified Internship: Credit Available
400 Intern WE International Madison, WI Rolling Nonprofit Rolling Internship: Unpaid
416 Senate Messenger Wisconsin State Legislature Madison, WI Part-Time or Full-Time Government, Legislation Rolling Full-Time: Paid
470 Intern The Borgen Project Remote 12 Week Program Public Affairs, Government Rolling Internship: Unpaid
516 Training Program Green Corps Various One-Year Environmental, Legislation, Advocacy Unspecified Paid
519 Tutor Achievement Connections Madison, WI Rolling Education, Advising Rolling Volunteer Position
529 Various Positions For Our Future Action Fund Philadelphia, PA, Las Vegas, NV, Washington, DC, Madison, WI Part-Time or Full-Time Lobbying Unspecified Paid Positions
550 Campus Organizer Student PIRGs Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington Full-Time Administration, Environment, Organization Unspecified Full-Time: Paid
590 Intern for the Assembly Democratic Caucus Wisconsin Assembly Democrats Unspecified (Wisconsin) Spring, Summer, or Fall Politics Unspecified Internship: Unpaid (can receive course credit)
591 Legislative Intern Wisconsin Assembly GOP Madison, WI Unspecified Politics Unspecified Internship: Unpaid (limited # of paid positions)
819 Intern Representative Tom Tiffany Washington, D.C. or Wisconsin Unspecified Government Unspecified Internship
820 Intern Representative Mike Gallagher Washington, D.C. or Wisconsin Unspecified Government Unspecified Internship
821 Intern Representative Brian Steil Washington, D.C. or Wisconsin Unspecified Government Unspecified Internship
822 Intern Representative Scott Fitzgerald Washington, D.C. or Wisconsin Unspecified Government Unspecified Internship
823 Intern Representative Derrick Van Orden Washington, D.C. or Wisconsin Spring, Summer, Fall Government Spring - December 15th, Summer – March 15th, Fall – August 15th Internship
824 Intern Representative Glenn Grothman Washington, D.C. or Wisconsin Unspecified Government Unspecified Internship
825 Intern Representative Gwen Moore Washington, D.C. or Wisconsin Unspecified Government Unspecified Internship
850 Intern Joseph S. Nye, Jr. National Security Program Washington, D.C. 6-month term Policy Unspecified Internship: Paid (stipend)
971 Campus Intern Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) Madison, WI Unspecified Activism Unspecified Internship: Unpaid
989 Legislative Intern State Representative Katrina Shankland Madison, WI Unspecified Government Unspecified Internship
1217 Intern Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies Honolulu, HI Various Research, Security, Policy Various Internship: Credit Available
1243 Political & Campaigns Internship National Democratic Redistricting Commission Washington, D.C. or Remote Semester length Advocacy, Policy Rolling Internship
1246 Intern The City of Chicago Chicago, IL Semester length Government, Policy, Legislation Unspecified Intern
1247 Youth Activism Intern Turn Up Remote Part-time Advocacy, Policy, Research Rolling Internship: Unpaid but credit available
1248 Intern Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) Washington, D.C. or Remote Unspecified Foreign Affairs, Policy, Research Unspecified Internship
1253 International Relations and Policy Intern World Endeavor Remote Unspecified Foreign Affairs, Research, Policy Unspecified Internship
1281 Intern Dane County Human Services Department Madison, WI Unspecified Government Unspecified Internship: Paid (Hourly)
1286 Public Policy Intern National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota (NAMI MN) St Paul, MN Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 Research, Public Policy, Legislation, Advocacy November 15, 2023 (Spring 2024), May 1st (Summer 2024) Internship: Unpaid
1289 Intern The Council of State Governments (CSG) Remote Unspecified Research, Public Policy, Legislative Affairs None Internship: Paid
1310 Intern Office of the Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski Madison, WI Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 Government Rolling Internship: Unpaid (credit available)
1317 Director's Financial Analyst Fellowship Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Washington, D.C. June 2024 (Two year rotational fellowship) Federal Government Unspecified Fellowship: paid
1319 Student Vote Intern Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) Madison, WI Fall 2023 Non-profit Rolling Internship
1324 Multiple Positions Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Washington, DC Spring 2024 Think Tank Unspecified Internship: Paid
1334 Domestic Climate Intern Center for American Progress Washington, D.C. Spring 2024 Climate, Advocacy Unspecified Internship: Paid
1335 US Policy Intern Future of Privacy Forum Washington, D.C. Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 available Privacy, Advocacy Various Internship: Paid (Hourly)
1337 Intern Brookings Institution Washington, D.C. Spring 2024 Research, Advocacy, Public Policy Various Internship: Paid (Hourly)
1342 Intern U.S. Department of Commerce Washington, D.C. Spring 2024 Government Rolling Internship
1343 Public Policy Intern The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Washington, D.C. Summer 2024 Advocacy, Public Policy Unspecified Internship
1358 Policy and Advocacy Intern The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence Chicago, IL Summer 2024 Advocacy, Research March 31, 2024 Internship: Stipend
1359 Eau Claire Regional Lead Opportunity Wisconsin (OWI) Eau Claire, WI Immediately through August 2024 Organizing and Strategy Rolling Full time
1362 Intern Purplely Remote Summer 2024 Nonprofit, Elections, Research June 1, 2024 Internship: Unpaid
1367 Intern State Representative LaKeshia Myers Madison, WI Spring 2024 Government Rolling until position filled Internship: Unpaid
1371 Campus Organizing Fellow The Wisco Project Madison, WI Spring Campaigns and organizing ASAP Internship: Stipend
1374 Yale Predoctoral Fellowship Yale Center for the Study of American Politics New Haven, CT 1 year, possible extension Research Rolling Full time: Paid
1376 Intern Nineteen Sixty Campaigns Remote (Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago) Unspecified Campaigns, Political Consulting Rolling Internship
1388 Intern Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, Inc. (STOP) Remote Summer 2024 Research, Communications, Civil Rights Undisclosed Internship: Unpaid (college credit available)
1389 Public Law and Policy Intern Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP Washington, D.C. Summer 2024 Law, Public Policy March 29, 2024 Internship: Paid (Hourly) see Handshake for more details
1392 Project Assistant Eimer Stahl LLP Madison, WI Spring/Summer Law Rolling Full time: Paid (can start in Spring part time and transition to full time)
1394 3 Intern Positions Valens Global Remote Summer 2024 National Security Rolling Internship: Paid
1396 Program Support Specialist Mayor's Innovation Project at High Road Strategy Center (formerly known as COWS) Madison, WI Immediate Local government, research ASAP Part time position: Paid
1397 Campaign Internships Joe Biden for President Various Locations Immediate Campaigns ASAP Full time and Internship: Paid
1398 Diplomacy & Global Relations Intern A.S.E Global Bridges Windsor, CT Summer 2024 Global Affairs, Sports, Arts April 1, 2024 Internship: Paid (stipend)
1400 Intern ACLU Remote Summer 2024 Law, Advocacy, Research Unspecified Internship: Paid (hourly)
1404 Intern North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission Remote Summer 2024 Government, Research, Criminal Justice Unspecified Internship: Paid (Hourly)
1405 Policy Fellow The Klein/Johnson Group Washington, D.C. Summer 2024 Lobbying, Public Policy, Research April 29, 2024 Internship: Paid
1406 National Security and Intelligence Analysis Intern The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Washington, D.C. or Remote Summer 2024 Foreign Affairs, Defense, Research April 19, 2024 Internship: Unpaid (scholarships available)
1407 Intern The Urban Institute Washington, D.C. Summer 2024 Various focuses Unspecified Internship: Paid (Hourly)
1408 Executive Assistant to the Executive Director For the Long Term Remote, East Coast Time Zone preferred (FTLT - and thus the Executive Director - works across all US time zones) Full-time job Activism investment Unspecified $65,000-85,000
1409 Intern Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman Detroit, MI, Indianapolis, IN, Milwaukee, WI, Washington, D.C. June 3 - July 26, 2024 Health law firm March 7, 2024 Internship: Paid (hourly)
1411 Domestic Program Summer Intern The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) Remote Summer 2024 Public Policy, Research March 20, 2024 Internship: Paid
1412 Intern Save the Children Mostly remote Summer 2024 Various but related to advocacy Unspecified Internship: Paid (Hourly)
1413 Legislative Fellow The Greenlining Insitute Oakland, CA Full-time (Starts in September 2024 through August 2025) Advocacy, Community Organizing, Environment, Racial Justice April 5, 2024 $60,000
1416 RNC Committee on Arrangements Republican National Convention Milwaukee, WI Summer 2024 Republican National Politics March 31 Internship
1417 Analysis Career Field Intern Defense Intelligence Agency Alabama, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nebraska, Virginia Summer 2025 Defense, intelligence, security Unspecified (program is for next summer) Internship
1418 Senate Employment Bulletin United States Senate Washington, D.C., sometimes in home state of Senator Various Government Various Internships and Jobs
1419 Fellowships Meridian International Center Washington, D.C. Summer 2024 Various including Global Affairs, Communications, Journalism, Business, etc Various (apply soon!) Internship: Paid (Hourly)
1420 Intern Senator Tammy Baldwin Campaign Madison, WI Summer 2024 Campaign, Elections March 13, 2024 Internship: Paid (Hourly)
1421 Intern Schreiber Government Relations Group Madison WI Summer 2024 Government Affairs April 1st Paid
1422 Scholarship The Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service Global Undergraduate Juniors entering their Senior Year Public Service Unspecified, if applicable apply asap! Finalists notified in May Scholarship: Up to $50K Student Debt Relief, $2,000 travel stipends, $20,000 Airbnb credit for 10 years post graduation
1423 Intern Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Washington, D.C., New York, NY, or remote Summer 2024 Foreign Affairs (various focuses) Various Internship: Paid (Hourly)
1424 Intern Women's Foreign Policy Group Washington, D.C. Summer 2024 Foreign Policy, Communications, Program Planning April 5, 2024 Internship: Paid (stipend)
1425 Legislative Analyst Congressional Research Service Remote Full time Research, Government, Congress March 25, 2024 Full time job
1426 Research Associate Intern FHI 360 Remote Summer 2024 International Aid, Global Health, Civil Society Reform Unspecified Remote: Paid (Hourly)
1427 Congress Watch Advocacy Intern Public Citizen Washington, D.C. Summer 2024 Congress, Public Policy, Research March 25, 2024 Internship: some positions are paid apply asap!
1428 Intern Paul Hastings LLP Washington, D.C. Summer 2024 International Law, Research Unspecified Internship: Paid (Hourly)
1429 Green Corps Organizer Green Corps Multiple Locations August 2024 - August 2025 Environmental March 30th Paid: Full time job
1430 Movement Labs Fellow Movement Labs Remote Summer 2024 Community Organizing, Data, Advocacy Unspecified Fellowship: Paid (hourly)
1431 Fellow Foundation for Civic Leadership - Democracy House Remote Summer 2024 Civic Leadership, Advocacy March 24 Fellowship: Paid
1432 Max Kampelman Fellow The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe - Helsinki Commission Washington, D.C. April 8, 2024 National Security, International Affairs, Congress April 8, 2024 Fellowship: Paid (Hourly)
Position title Host Location Time frame Industry/Focus Deadline Type

CAREER PODCASTS

Career Conversation with Ashley Brown on Public Policy and Lobbying Careers

In this  episode of 1050 Bascom, we were excited to have the opportunity to interview Ashley Bown, Principal and Founder of FourConsultancy LLC, as part of our Career Conversations series. Ashley graduated from UW-Madison with a BA in Political Science in 2010. She earned a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy from UMass-Boston in 2012 and a Master in Public Policy from Northeastern University in 2015.  Ashley has served as Head of Government Partnerships, Canada for Spin, was Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Government Relations & Public Affairs to the University of Massachusetts Boston and was a Legislative Director for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – among many other impressive positions.  She’s also a member of the Political Science Board of Visitors.  We asked Ashley about her time at UW-Madison as well as her fascinating career path.  We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Ashley and hope you will too.  Listen here.

Career Conversation with Kady Hogan on Public Service and Working in D.C.

In this episode of 1050 Bascom, we were excited for the opportunity to talk with Katy Hogan, as part of our Career Conversations series. Katy graduated from The Ohio State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s in Political Science, and went on to earn an MPA from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at OSU in 2013. She now works with the Federal Workforce Programs at Partnership for Public Service as Senior Manager.

We talked to Katy about her own college experience and the opportunities she took along the way, as well as her career journey to where she is today at her current position with the Partnership for Public Service. We also asked Katy for advice for current students and recent graduates navigating a challenging internship and job market – including any insights Katy might have for students looking to pursue opportunities in Washington, DC or kickstart a career in government and political affairs.  We enjoyed our conversation and learned a lot. We hope you will too.  Listen here.

Career Conversation with Nicole Gulatz on Humanitarian Work and Nonprofits

In this episode of 1050 Bascom, we enjoyed the opportunity to interview Nicole Gulatz as part of our Career Conversations series. Nicole graduated from UW-Madison with a BA in International Studies in 2007. She has served as Chief Development Officer of the American Red Cross of Wisconsin, was Vice President of Development of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, started her own consulting company and worked in Geneva, Switzerland as a Senior Officer in Partnerships and Resource Development for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. We asked Nicole about her time at UW Madison as well as her fascinating career path.  We thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and hope you will too! Listen here.

Success in Politics and Business with Laura Bishop 

In this episode of 1050 Bascom, we were grateful for the opportunity to interview Laura Bishop.  Laura graduated from UW-Madison with a B.A. in International Relations and Scandinavian Studies and earned a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan.  Laura has a long and distinguished career working at the highest levels of politics and business.

Currently the CEO and Founder of Purpose Strategies with a focus on advancing sustainability solutions and advising environmental strategies, Laura previously worked in Washington DC at the White House and State Department, directed Government Relations at Best Buy, and was the Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

We talked to Laura about her time on campus and her accomplished career trajectory.  We also sought Laura’s advice for students and alumni pursuing career pathways in the corporate and political world.  We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and learned so much.  We hope you will too.  Listen here.

Career Conversation with Megan Arendt on Public Relations and Working in Washington D.C.

In this episode of 1050 Bascom, we were grateful for the opportunity to talk to one of our PS alumni, Megan Arendt as part of our Career Conversations series.   Megan is the Associate Director Of Communications at Action on Smoking and Health in Washington, DC.  She graduated from UW-Madison in 2010 with a B.A. in Political Science and a certificate in African Studies.  In 2014, Megan also received a certification in Communication and Media Studies from the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.  Megan currently serves as a valued alumni mentor in University’s Wisconsin in Washington program.  We asked Megan about her time at UW Madison as well as her post-grad education and career path.  We also asked her for advice for current students and recent graduates navigating a challenging internship and job market.  Megan also offered some great insights for students looking to pursue opportunities in Washington, DC.  We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Megan and hope you will too.  Listen here.

Career Conversation with Steve Kulig, Associate Director of the La Follette School of Public Affairs

In this episode of 1050 Bascom, we were grateful for the opportunity to talk to Steven Kulig, Associate Director at the  La Follette School of Public Affairs.  Steve earned his bachelor of science degree in Economics from UW-Madison in 2007. After graduation, he spent over six years working as a legislative assistant in the Wisconsin State Senate. While working at the capitol, he attended the La Follette School part-time, earning his master’s degree in public affairs in 2014. After graduating, he joined the Wisconsin Department of Health Services as a budget and policy analyst and then joined the La Follette School as administrator and career services coordinator in April 2016 before becoming the Associate Director at La Follette in 2018. We asked Steve about his time on campus as an undergrad, his experience as a legislative assistant and as a budget analyst, his decision to pursue an MPA, and about his current leadership role at La Follette.

We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Steve and hope you will too!  Listen here.

Career Conversation Rodger Ervin on a Career in Presidential Politics, Diplomacy in Africa, and Business

In this episode 1050 Bascom, we were privileged to have the opportunity to talk to Roger Ervin, who received his MBA from the University of Wisconsin Business School and teaches courses at the La Follette School of Public Affairs. Roger is an accomplished global operating executive with experience in the public and private sectors. Roger’s career has spanned from working as a campaign field organizer to the highest levels of presidential politics and diplomatic service to serving as the CEO of a 5,000-employee global company operating in 40 countries.  Roger was a senior advisor to the Biden 2020 presidential campaign and also served in the Clinton Administration as a Senior Advisor in the Africa Bureau of the State Department where he was deeply involved in some of the most crucial foreign policy matters of the time including helping Nelson Mandela’s rise to the presidency as well as resolving America’s intervention in Somalia and ending genocide in Rwanda.  In May 2021, he joined Putnam Partners as a firm partner. Next spring, he will teach a course at La Follette called Strategic Public Management.We were grateful to Roger for taking time out of his incredibly busy schedule to talk about his career in politics and business.  We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and learned so much.  We hope you will too.  Listen here.

Career Conversation with Aaron Kutnick on Political Consulting and Education 

As the global pandemic continues to raise questions about the future and stability of the job and internship market, 1050 Bascom is reaching out to successful Political Science grads to help us navigate these uncertain times.  In this episode, we were grateful for the opportunity to interview Aaron Kutnick.  Aaron graduated with a degree in Political Science in 2007 and serves as a valued alumni mentor in our political science mentorship program.  We talked to Aaron about his time at UW-Madison as well as his career path into the world of high-level political consulting and his current transition into the education sector.   Aaron also offered some amazingly thoughtful on-the-ground advice for anyone on the internship or job market.  We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Aaron and learned so much.  We hope you will too. Listen here.

Career Conversations: Katie Harbath, Former Facebook Public Policy Director, on Political Media and her New Company 

In this episode of 1050 Bascom, we were privileged to have the opportunity to talk to PS alumni, Katie Harbath. Katie graduated from the UW-Madison School of Journalism with an additional major in Political Science in 2003.  We talked to Katie about her time on campus as well as her accomplished career trajectory from high level politics to Facebook where she served as the Public Policy Director for the last ten years.  Katie shared her insights into the evolution of political media and talked about her goals for her own DC-based company, Anchor Change.  Katie also offered some amazingly thoughtful on-the-ground career advice for anyone on the internship or job market.  We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Katie and learned so much.  We hope you will too.  Listen here.

Career Conversation with Jamal Habibi, Chief of Staff of Housing at USDA 

In this episode of 1050 Bascom, we were grateful to interview Badger alumni, Jamal Habibi, who was appointed by President Biden to be the Chief of Staff of the Rural Housing Service at the US Department of Agriculture.  Jamal is a 2011 Badger grad who majored in Political Science and Languages and Cultures of Asia.  Prior to his current position, Jamal worked as a Senior Associate at the Opportunity Finance Network and held executive positions at Discovery Inc. and the US Department of Treasury.  We asked Jamal about his time on campus and he shared with us his career pathway to his new leadership role at the Department of Agriculture. We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Jamal and hope you will too.  Listen here.

Career Conversations with Civil Rights Lawyer, Amy Bogost 

As the global pandemic continues to raise questions about the future and stability of the job and internship market,1050 Bascom is reaching out to successful Political Science grads to help us navigate these uncertain times.  In this episode, we were grateful to have the opportunity to speak with Amy Bogost, a civil rights lawyer at Bogost Law, LLC. Amy is a UW-Madison Political Science and History grad. She received her law degree from Chicago Kent College of Law and has worked in civil law in Seattle, Washington and California before moving back to Madison. Amy has most recently focused her practice on Federal Title IX representation of victims of sensitive crimes.

Through the Southwest Center for Law and Policy, Amy has provided training on implementation of Title IX within Tribal colleges and has taught at the National Tribal Trial College, co-sponsored and located at University of Wisconsin Law School.  Amy shared her insights on what she did to make the most of her time at UW-Madison and offered advice to students interested in pursuing careers in civil rights law and policy.  We enjoyed our conversation with Amy and learned so much.  We hope you will too.  Listen here.

Career Conversations  with Sherry Kaiman on Consulting (and Working on the Hill)

As the global pandemic continues to raise questions about the future and stability of the job and internship market, 1050 Bascom is reaching out to successful Political Science alumni to help us navigate these uncertain times.  In this episode, we were grateful to have the opportunity to talk to Sherry Kaiman. Sherry, who continues to offer her time and valuable insights to our majors as an active alumni mentor in the department, was a consultant in the areas of education, workforce and health care issues.  She spent over two decades on Capitol Hill where she held an array of senior legislative positions, including staffing the 1988 Presidential Commission on the HIV Epidemic.  She is currently a Senior Advisor at Resolve.  We learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Sherry. We hope you will too.  Listen here.

Career Conversations – Human Rights NGOs and the United Nations

In this episode of 1050 Bascom, we were grateful to interview Hilary Miller who graduated with a B.A. in Political Science, History, and Jewish Studies from UW-Madison in 2019.  After working as a Goldman Fellow in Chicago, she joined UN Watch—an independent human rights watchdog NGO— in Geneva, Switzerland where she lived for a year.  In June 2020, Hilary testified before the U.N. Human Rights Council on a debate on human rights violations committed by Russia in Crimea. Hilary previously testified before the Human Rights Council on issues related to Israel and Equatorial Guinea.  We asked Hilary about her time on campus, and she shared her insights and advice about how her academic and professional pursuits led to a prestigious Goldman Fellowship, a position at the Louise D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, and now an influential role at UN Watch. We learned a lot from Hilary and hope you will too.  Listen here.

Law School Advice and Insights from UW Pre-Law Advisor, Caroline Fuchs

In this episode of 1050 Bascom, Caroline Fuchs, an immigration lawyer and pre-law advisor at the Center for Pre-Law Advising offers her advice to students thinking about applying to law school.  Caroline, who has a J.D. and MPA, shared with us her own career path and offered her insights on how to think about the decision to go to law school, what the application process looks like, LSAT preparation, recommendation letters, GPAs, and much more.  We learned so much from Caroline, and hope you will too.  Listen here.

Career Conversation with CO State Board of Education Director Angela Maramba

As the global pandemic continues to raise questions about the future and stability of the job and internship market,1050 Bascom is reaching out to successful Political Science graduates to help us navigate these uncertain times.  In this episode, we were grateful to have the opportunity to interview Angela Maramba, Political Science Badger alumni and Director of State Board Relations at the Colorado Department of Education.  Before rising to her current position, Angela worked as a Legislative and Research Assistant for the State of Wisconsin and a Research Analyst for the National Conference of State Legislatures. We asked Angela about her time at UW-Madison, and she offered helpful advice to students about how to make the most of their experiences inside and outside the classroom.   We also appreciated Angela’s insights into career pathways in public service and state government, and valued her take on seeking jobs, communicating, and networking in our current professional environment.  Listen here.

Career Conversations with Kevin Allexon at Ocean Conservancy in Washington, D.C. 

In this episode of 1050 Bascom, we were grateful to have the opportunity to interview Kevin Allexon, a PS Badger alumn who worked as a Senior Policy Advisor for the George W. Bush Presidential Administration.  Kevin, who is now the Senior Manager of Government Relations at Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC, offered his insights into how he built a professional portfolio beginning in college that helped him advance to policy advising at the highest level of federal government.  He also offered his advice to people considering private sector paths in government relations, suggesting that finding meaningful work that aligns with your personal and professional values is key at every stage of the career-building process.  We enjoyed our conversation with Kevin and learned a lot — and hope you will too.  Listen here.

Pathways to Top Law Schools and Scholarship Advice with Phoenix Rice-Johnson

In this episode of 1050 Bascom, we talk to 2016 Badger grad, Phoenix Rice-Johnson.  Phoenix, who majored in PS and International Relations, was awarded both the prestigious Marshall and Truman Scholarships, and received her MA in Public Policy at King’s College in London.  Phoenix is interning this summer at the Office of the Public Defender in San Diego and will start her second year at Yale Law School in the fall. Phoenix offered her insights on applying to top law schools and prominent scholarships.  We appreciated Phoenix’s down-to-earth honesty and insights into why she thinks top law schools like Yale are increasingly looking for students with nontraditional pathways as well as those who have taken gap years to grow personally and professionally and reflect on their motivation for pursuing post-graduate education.  We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Phoenix, and hope you will too.  Listen here.

Building Professional Pathways to Working in DC with Josh Mesner

We are excited to welcome back Josh Mesner to the podcast.  As many of you know, Josh was the first host and editor of 1050 Bascom before moving to DC to begin a position at Energy Impact Center.  Josh is a 2017 Badger who majored in Political Science and Environmental Studies.  Throughout his undergrad years and in the two years afterward, Josh built an impressive resume of internships and jobs in the legal field, the state legislature, and in environmental policy positions.  As part of our career conversations series, we wanted Josh’s advice for students hoping to eventually live and work in the nation’s capital.  Josh also shared his insights into what he thinks makes an applicant competitive in a tough job market and how to approach the early years of your career.

Career Conversations w/ Delaney Foster, Government Services Account Manager at Insight Global

We speak with Delaney Foster, an Account Manager in Government Services at Insight Global in the greater San Diego area. Delaney, a PS and History double-major who graduated from UW-Madison in 2017, offered insightful, practical advice for building a strong resume as well as a networking community while you are in college and into your early career years. Delaney highlighted the importance of be willing to venture outside of your comfort zone and making the most of any new learning opportunity. As a recruiter for Insight Global, Delaney also talked about how you can make yourself standout in your resume, cover letters, and interviews.

SuccessWorks on Badgers on Track and Microinternships

We talk to Emmeline Pratke and Kathleen Rause to talk about the work that SuccessWorks is doing to offer virtual resources and opportunities for students interested in working on career development in the current economic climate. Emmeline and Kathleen shared concrete advice on where to look for internships and jobs as well as online resources to build and compliment your skills outside of the classroom. They also talked us through SuccessWorks’ partnership with a company that provides students access to paid microinternship opportunities.

Career Conversations w/ Marie Koko at the La Follette School of Public Affairs

We interviewed Marie Koko, the Senior Career Services Coordinator in the La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW-Madison. Many of our majors are familiar with Marie, who was an award-winning career advisor at SuccessWorks before moving over to La Follette last year. Marie offered us concrete advice for students seeking jobs and internship during the pandemic. She also shared helpful information about the undergraduate Public Policy Certificate at La Follette and the School’s Accelerated Master’s program open to selected UW-Madison undergraduates and preparing for post-graduate professional opportunities more generally.

Career Conversations w/ Kate Kruizenga, Head of Strategy and Operations for Dropbox

We interview Kate Kruizenga, Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy & Operations for the Business Development team at Dropbox in the San Francisco Bay area. Kate shared her hiring insights on how to distinguish yourself on the job market and offered concrete advice on developing a unique “narrative pitch” in your applications and interviews. Kate helped us think through questions of work/life balance, and told us why “work life flexibility” is a top consideration for her. We found Kate’s thoughts on the importance of identifying positions that reflect your values as students, employees, and citizens of the community inspiring.

Career Conversations with Sam Nitz, Partner at Fireside Campaigns in DC

We interview Sam Nitz, a Janesville native and 2004 Badger grad. Sam has worked at every level of campaigns starting as a field organizer in Madison. He also owned his own campaign consultant management company and is now partner at Fireside Campaigns in DC. Sam offers thoughtful insights on how to craft your own personal and career narrative to make your resume and interviews stand out. He also shared useful practical advice on managing early career job searches. We found his discussion about creating a healthy work-life balance that aligns with your goals and values inspiring.

A Conversation with Alyssa Mastromonaco on Politics and Career

We interviewed best-selling author and podcaster Alyssa Mastromonaco. A Political Science Badger alum and a member of the department’s Board of Visitors, Alyssa served as former White House Deputy Chief of Staff for the Obama Administration. She talked us through her political pathway from a feel-the-Bern intern in Vermont for Bernie Sanders and a politically active student at UW-Madison to working on several presidential campaigns and then for eight years focused on domestic and international policy in the Obama Administration. She also offered her take on leadership in divisive times and spoke to the ongoing protests following the death of George Floyd. We learned so much from talking with her Alyssa and found her practical career advice for people at all professional levels – always get the easy stuff right, show humility, be a meaningful team player – invaluable.

Navigating the Internship and Job Market in a Covid-19 World with Mindi Zissman

We interviewed Political Science Badger alumni, Mindi Zissman, President of Zissman Media, for her advice to undergraduates on navigating the internship and job market in a Covid-19 world.  Mindi offered her insights into preparing for and managing virtual interviews, and provided practical tips for setting daily and weekly career development goals.  She also shared with us her advice on how to best leverage your academic, personal, and organizational networks to identify professional mentors.

Listen to All 1050 Bascom Podcasts: