Biltu Hamda worked at Visit Milwaukee as the partnership and events intern. Hamda helped develop and manage a prospecting database of hospitality businesses in the Milwaukee region. She also assisted in planning, registration and execution of special events and programs, including partner outreach and communication. Hamda majored in journalism, advertising and media studies, with a minor in communication. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Andrew Roznowski (right), a Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latin@ Studies major and Africology minor, works as director of operations for Nigerian boutique Usman La’Aro, owned by friend and UWM alum Simbiat Abisola Laaro (left). All of the clothing sold at the Brady Street shop is designed by Laaro and tailored in Nigeria. Roznowski says his job has taken him to Nigeria multiple times. (UWM Photo/Alexis Amenson)
Kaitlyn Rajchel is an intern at Goodwill who works with people who have a brain injury or disabilities that are physical, cognitive or developmental. She participates in group activities, and enjoys spending time her clients. (UWM photo/Troye Fox)
Summer Dexheimer is an information technology intern at Robert W. Baird & Co. and a student at UWM pursing a double major in IT management and supply chain management. She hopes to continue her employment at Baird after graduating in May 2019. (UWM Photo/Olivia Overturf)
Ashley Handley is a senior at UWM working with Rockwell Automation as a finance intern. This internship has given her the opportunity to travel to Mexico, along with giving her freedom to learn by working on projects independently. (UWM Photo/Olivia Overturf)
Kaitlin Trokan is a School of Education student with an internship combined with student teaching at Audubon Technology and Communication High School. Trokan’s ambition and hard work helped her win a Fulbright fellowship to teach English in Slovakia or the Czech Republic. (UWM photo/Elora Hennessey)
Thousands of UWM students complete internships each year at more than 1,200 Milwaukee-area employers. These internships allow UWM students to develop relationships with staff and supervisors and expand skills they can implement post graduation, and provide experience to refine where the student should be looking for work.
About a quarter of UWM graduates were required to complete an internship to earn their degree, and nearly 80 percent of graduates complete an internship, student teaching or other work experience during their time at UWM.
According to a 2017 survey published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, nearly 91 percent of employers prefer candidates with work experience.
In this slideshow, you will meet a few recent interns and learn about their experiences.