15 Internships for College Students in Wisconsin
If you’re a college student looking to gain practical experience, internships can be one of the most effective ways to explore your field and build career-ready skills. Internships often combine hands-on work with mentorship from professionals, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings while developing a strong professional network. As a college intern, you may work on projects, contribute to team initiatives, and gain exposure to industry tools, workflows, and expectations.
If you’re looking for remote/online internships, then you can check out paid programs here! And if you’re worried about having less experience, check out our blog here!
Why should you do an internship in college in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is home to a diverse range of companies, startups, and research institutions that offer internships across industries such as business, engineering, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. With opportunities available in cities like Milwaukee and Madison, you can find experiences that align with your interests and career goals. These internships not only help you build technical and professional skills but also provide valuable insights into potential career paths.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 internships for college students in Wisconsin.
Key takeaways
This list covers 15 internships for Wisconsin college students across media, government, healthcare research, business, and environmental policy, with standout hosts including Kohl's, UW-Madison, the City of Milwaukee, and Ladder Internships.
Most of these are paid, with strong stipends like $20/hour (totaling $4,500) at one entrepreneurship-focused program and $17/hour at a UW-Madison research center, while a couple of options are unpaid but offer academic credit instead.
Two of the business-focused internships here are limited to students at one specific Wisconsin university, so it's worth confirming eligibility rather than assuming every listing is open broadly.
Most opportunities are concentrated in Milwaukee and Madison, while Ladder stands out as the only fully virtual, nationally accessible option on the list.
Some of the earliest deadlines land in mid-to-late February for a legislative fellowship and a space science research internship, with several other deadlines clustering into March, so it's worth starting applications by January.
1. WITI-FOX6 Television Internship Program
Location: WITI Fox Television stations, Milwaukee, WI
Stipend: Unpaid (academic credits may be offered)
Dates: Semester-based
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: College or trade school students pursuing journalism, communications, media, or related fields
The FOX6 News Milwaukee Internship Program offers you hands-on experience in broadcast journalism within a professional newsroom environment. You may work across departments such as news, sports, weather, and promotions, gaining exposure to both in-studio and field operations. Your responsibilities may include assisting with story research, shadowing reporters and producers, preparing scripts, and supporting production workflows. The program emphasizes real-world learning, allowing you to observe and contribute to live broadcasts and editorial processes.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies (financial aid offered); Unpaid
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective virtual experience that places you with startups and nonprofits across the globe. These organizations span a wide range of industries, giving you exposure to diverse work environments. During the program, you’ll contribute to meaningful, real-world projects that address actual needs within the organization. You’ll also get to collaborate closely with a startup manager while also receiving ongoing guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach. The internship concludes with a final presentation, where you’ll showcase the impact of your work.
3. Marquette’s Kleczka Fellowship Program
Location: Local legislative offices and organizations across Milwaukee, WI
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Summer and fall cohorts
Application Deadline: Summer: February 23; Fall: May 18
Eligibility: College students with a minimum GPA of 2.5
The Kleczka Program at Marquette University’s Les Aspin Center for Government offers you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in public service through internships at the local and state level. During the internship, you will be placed in legislative offices and public organizations across Milwaukee, where you will engage directly with policy work and community leadership initiatives. The program integrates internship experience with academic coursework, allowing you to earn credit while developing a deeper understanding of public affairs.
4. Kohl’s Corporate Summer Internship Program
Location: Corporate and store internships in Milwaukee, WI
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 8-10 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by role
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (usually juniors) in relevant fields such as business, technology, design, marketing, supply chain, or related disciplines
The Kohl’s Summer Internship Program offers you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience across a wide range of business functions within a major retail organization. You will work on real projects in areas such as merchandising, marketing, supply chain, technology, and store operations, contributing to business outcomes while learning industry practices. The program includes mentorship from experienced professionals, leadership speaker sessions, and networking opportunities that provide insight into career pathways within retail and corporate environments.
5. City of Milwaukee Health Department: Education and Engagement Placement Program
Location: City of Milwaukee Health Department (various divisions across Milwaukee)
Stipend: Not specified
Dates: Semester-based (Spring, Summer, Fall placements available)
Application Deadline: Spring: November 15; Summer: May 1; Fall: July 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in accredited programs
The Education and Engagement Placement Program at the City of Milwaukee Health Department provides you with hands-on experience in public health practice through structured placements across various community-focused initiatives. You will work on real-world health challenges, contributing to programs related to health education, outreach, environmental health, and community services. The program allows you to apply academic knowledge in practical settings while gaining insight into how local health departments operate and serve diverse populations. You may also engage in activities such as community engagement, data collection, program support, and public health communication.
6. City of Milwaukee Mayoral Internship
Location: City Hall, Milwaukee, WI
Stipend: Not specified
Dates: Spring: January – May; Summer: May – August; Fall: August – December
Application Deadline: Spring: January 5; Summer: April 15; Fall: August 31
Eligibility: Enrolled college students who are at least 18 years old
The Mayoral Internship Program at the City of Milwaukee offers you direct exposure to local government by working closely with the Mayor’s office and staff. During the internship, you will contribute to key functions such as constituent services, communications, policy research, and scheduling, gaining insight into how city-level governance operates. The role involves interacting with the public, drafting official correspondence, and supporting research on issues affecting Milwaukee. You may also attend community meetings, public events, and internal briefings, allowing you to observe policy implementation and civic engagement in real time.
7. Medical College of Wisconsin: Program for Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE)
Location: Medical College of Wisconsin Graduate School, Milwaukee, WI
Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Academic year (mid-August – mid-May)
Application Deadline: Rolling; Recommended to apply at least one month before the semester
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (18+) in STEM majors with a 3.0+ GPA
The Program for Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) at the Medical College of Wisconsin provides you with hands-on exposure to biomedical and clinical research. You will be paired with faculty mentors and work on projects spanning basic science, translational research, and population health. The program is designed to integrate academic learning with real-world research experience, allowing you to contribute to ongoing studies while developing technical and analytical skills. You’ll get to assist with tasks such as data analysis, literature review, and experimental work, depending on your placement.
8. Regional Internship in Science & Engineering (RISE) Program
Location: Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) service area, Milwaukee, WI
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Year-round opportunities
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: College students in engineering-related majors
The RISE (Regional Internships in Science & Engineering) Program, managed by Prism Technical in partnership with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, is designed to connect college engineering students with internship opportunities in the Milwaukee region. As a participant, you will receive career development training and will be matched with employers such as engineering firms, construction companies, and consulting organizations. The program emphasizes both professional skill-building and real-world experience, allowing you to contribute to infrastructure and development projects across the region.
9. University of Wisconsin-Madison: Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP)
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Typically summer (exact dates vary by department/program)
Application Deadline: November – February 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (typically with at least one year of college completed) with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison provides you with the opportunity to engage in hands-on research across a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, biomedical sciences, environmental studies, and data science. You will be matched with faculty mentors and graduate students, allowing you to contribute to ongoing research projects while developing technical and analytical skills. The program emphasizes academic and professional development, with additional components such as workshops, seminars, and research presentations.
10. UW-Madison: Space Science & Engineering Center (SSEC) Internship
Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison – Space Science & Engineering Center (SSEC), Madison, WI
Stipend: $17/hour
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Undergraduate students; Open to students with interest in programming, data science, and research-related fields
The SSEC Summer Internship Program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison offers the opportunity to work in a professional research environment focused on atmospheric science, satellite data, and computational analysis. As an intern, you will typically be involved in programming-heavy projects, applying coding skills to real-world scientific challenges such as weather modeling and data visualization. The program provides exposure to cutting-edge research tools and techniques while allowing you to collaborate with scientists, engineers, and research staff.
11. Sentry School of Business and Economics Internships
Location: Various organizations across Stevens Point, WI
Stipend: Varies by internship
Dates: Year-round opportunities
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate business students; Internships must be related to the student’s major
The Sentry School of Business internships at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point offer a structured pathway that enables you to gain professional work experience before graduation. Through the Mundt Internship Program, you will be placed in internships across a wide range of organizations, including for-profit companies, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 firms. These internships are integrated into the curriculum, allowing you to earn academic credit while applying classroom knowledge in real-world settings. The program emphasizes skill development in areas such as communication, networking, and professional readiness, supported by career services and employer partnerships.
12. Clean Wisconsin: Science & Policy Internships
Location: Madison, WI
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Internships offered throughout the year (spring, summer, fall cycles)
Application Deadline: December 31 (spring), March 1 (summer) & August 1 (fall)
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students in fields such as environmental science, policy, law, communications, or related areas
The Science & Policy internships at Clean Wisconsin provide you with the opportunity to work on environmental issues related to clean air, water, and energy. During the program, you will contribute to the organization’s science and advocacy efforts by supporting research, analyzing policy developments, and assisting with communications and outreach initiatives. Depending on the specific role, you may work on projects such as drafting research briefs, synthesizing scientific data, or supporting campaigns aimed at influencing environmental policy.
13. Wisconsin Broadcasters Association: TV Internships
Location: Various cities across Wisconsin
Stipend: Varies by station; Some internships are paid
Dates: Year-round opportunities
Application Deadline: Varies by station
Eligibility: Typically college students in journalism, communications, or related fields; Some roles require academic credit
The TV internship listings by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association provide you with access to a wide range of internship opportunities across television stations throughout the state. Internships span departments including news reporting, production, marketing, engineering, and sports broadcasting, allowing you to gain experience in different aspects of media operations. Depending on the station, you may assist with tasks such as writing scripts, editing video, conducting interviews, or supporting live broadcasts. The platform serves as a centralized resource for students seeking practical experience in television and broadcast media across Wisconsin.
14. Congressman Mark Pocan Office Internships
Location: Madison District Office, Madison, WI
Stipend: Not specified
Dates: Varies by semester: Spring, Summer, Fall internship cycles
Application Deadline: August 7 (Fall); December 1 (Spring); April 3 (Summer)
Eligibility: College students
The Mark Pocan office internships in the Madison district office offer you experience in constituent services and local government operations. During the internship, you will work closely with staff to respond to constituent inquiries, assist with casework, and support community outreach initiatives across Wisconsin’s 2nd congressional district. The role involves drafting correspondence, managing communications, and helping coordinate events and engagements within the district. You’ll gain insight into how federal policies impact local communities and how congressional offices serve constituents on a day-to-day basis.
15. La Macchia Entrepreneur Internship Program
Location: Local entrepreneurial businesses in the Milwaukee area
Stipend: $20/hour ($4,500 total), along with 3 academic credits
Dates: Semester-based (Fall and Spring cycles)
Application Deadline: December 14 (Spring)
Eligibility: UWM juniors, seniors, or master’s students in business-related fields
The Entrepreneur Internship Program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers you the opportunity to work closely with local entrepreneurs and gain hands-on experience in building and managing a business. During the internship, you will be matched with startups or small businesses in the Milwaukee area, where you will contribute to real projects in areas such as marketing, financial analysis, and operations. Over the course of the semester, you will work approximately 15-16 hours per week, allowing you to balance academic commitments while gaining practical exposure. This is a chance to develop key professional skills such as collaboration, communication, and problem-solving while working in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
Questions students often ask about these internships
1. Do I need a specific major to apply to these internships?
Some do expect a relevant major, especially the business, science, and media-focused programs on this list. Others are open more broadly regardless of your field of study, so it's worth reading each eligibility section rather than ruling yourself out early.
2. A couple of these internships are limited to students at specific Wisconsin universities. How do I know if I'm eligible?
Check the eligibility details closely, since two programs here are restricted to one school's students specifically. Everything else on the list is open to college students across Wisconsin, so don't assume a listing is off-limits until you've confirmed it.
3. Are any of these internships paid, or should I expect to work for free?
Most on this list are paid, with some offering strong hourly rates or stipends. A few are unpaid but come with academic credit instead, so weigh that tradeoff based on what matters most for your situation.