A story on Terrace Views, the official blog of the Wisconsin Union, spotlights how a cross-campus internship program supported by School of Education alumna Kathy Deuel and her husband Joe Lillis is making a difference.
The article notes that both Deuel and Lillis “found clarity and confidence” during their time at UW–Madison. “For Kathy, it was the School of Education that affirmed her calling and prepared her to teach. The coursework, the practicums, and the support, it all translated into a life in the classroom. For Joe, it was the Wisconsin Union programming board, Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD), that first gave him the tools and the trust to lead.”
The article also shares the experience of Emelie W., a School of Education theater production intern. “I had absolutely no idea what to expect coming into this internship,” she says. “I had minimal experience with the technical side of theater, but after a few weeks, I started getting the hang of it. It wasn’t easy. This was my first real experience working in the world of theater, but I was surrounded by supportive and understanding supervisors who helped me figure it out.”
Emelie adds: “There has never been a time in this internship where I felt like I was just an intern. I always felt like a valued part of the team. My supervisors were patient and flexible, and they helped me find balance instead of burnout.”
Emelie’s growth through her internship experience is what Deuel and Lillis hoped to support, the article notes. The program allows for interns to become valued members of a team while gaining meaningful professional experience and earning financial support along the way.
To learn more, read the full article in Terrace Views. You can also donate to support the Wisconsin Union and School of Education internship program.