Students: Discover how an internship with the State of Wisconsin is a great way to move Forward and get a head start on your career! 

The Wisconsin Student Diversity Internship Program (SWSDIP) offers unique opportunities for students across the state in various agencies and career areas. The internship program seeks to cultivate a pool of talent across culturally diverse groups with different lived experiences, representing the global spectrum of ethnicity, gender, and ability. The goal of the program is to provide those students with an opportunity to engage in impactful, career-related work in Wisconsin state public service. Internships are paid positions. Interns get to connect with industry professionals and develop the skills needed for their future careers. Students who are veterans are also strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional details about the internship recruitment process and timeline can be found towards the bottom of the page.

Each intern will work in a particular area with a Wisconsin State agency. Internships are available across 42 counties with 18 different State agencies. There are over 200 in-person, remote, and hybrid work opportunities for you to consider!

Almost any career path can come to life with our internship program. Opportunities are in a variety of career areas, including but not limited to:

Throughout your internship you will be invited to special events with top executives and the opportunity to participate in a networking and professional development series.

A summer internship with the State of Wisconsin offers a chance for you to: 

• Explore the potential of your career path 
• Gain hands-on experience 
• Learn how state government serves Wisconsin 
• Contribute to meaningful projects that support the mission of a state agency 
• Develop and broaden your professional network

Affordable, short-term housing options in Madison will be available for the duration of the summer internship! Interested candidates can indicate their interest in learning more about housing options later in the application process.

All positions in this program are paid internships, with full-time and part-time positions available. Refer to the SWSDIP Position Catalog for each position's specific hourly rate and weekly expected hours. Maximum hourly rates with an asterisk (*) indicate that a higher pay rate may be possible with a higher level of education.

These are Limited-Term Employment (LTE) opportunities during the Summer of 2025. The exact position start and end dates are flexible. Generally, the positions begin around the week of May 19, 2025, and end around mid-August 2025. 

Professional experience is not required to be an intern in this program. 

Refer to the SWSDIP page for additional information about the program. 

Due to the nature of each position, agencies may conduct background checks on applicants before selection.

Certain positions may allow remote/work from home flexibility for a portion of their work schedule, depending on the needs of the position and the work unit. This topic and any remote work flexibility that may be available will be discussed in more detail in the interview process.

To be eligible for this program, you must be: 

• Legally authorized to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without agency sponsorship) 
• At least 18 years of age at the time the internship program begins (May 19, 2025) 
• Currently enrolled in, recently graduated (fall 2024/spring 2025) from, or planning to attend (2025/2026) a 2-year, 4-year, or graduate school
• Living in Wisconsin during the internship program

The SWSDIP application has two parts - this is the first part of the application and determines your eligibility for the program, and the second part of the application allows eligible applicants to apply for specific positions at State agencies. 

To start the application process, click Apply for Job at the top of the page. If you are a new user, click on the Register Now link or type your user name and password if you already have an account. You will be required to upload a resume or enter work history. Follow the prompts on subsequent pages to complete the application process. You will need to answer the screening questions and submit your application. This completes the first part of the application. 

You will receive notification of your eligibility for participation in the program based on your submitted responses. 

Eligible students will receive a separate email with instructions on how to apply to the specific internship positions available within a few days. This application and the position selections (from eligible students) are required for further consideration. 

Questions can be directed to DOADPMSWSDIP@wisconsin.gov.  For general Wisc.Jobs user information and technical assistance, please see the Wisc.Jobs Frequently Asked Questions page.

The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

All applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm (CST) on February 7, 2025.

Recruitment Timeline:  Applicants should monitor their email for communications related to their application status and the recruitment process. *Timeline is subject to change as needed due to business operations and availability.