United States: Francesca Sloane
Program: UW Wisconsin in Washington, DC Internship Program, Spring
Francesca’s Major: Business: Finance, Investment, and Banking
Describe your internship, research, or fieldwork and how the experience helped advance your career or studies.
During my Spring 2025 legislative internship with the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, I gained hands-on experience in legislative research and policy development regarding small businesses. I authored analytical memos that connected complex policy issues, such as foreign affairs, regulatory frameworks, and economic developments, to their impact on small businesses across the country. One of the most formative aspects of my experience was leading a capstone project that analyzed federal contracting trends using government datasets. My findings were presented during a Senate hearing and later cited by ten senators in policy discussions, which gave me a firsthand look at how research directly informs legislation. The experience sharpened my ability to synthesize information, communicate clearly under pressure, and understand the legislative process at a granular level – skills that will directly support my future work as a leading litigator and possible Supreme Court Justice one day! 🙂
My advice for someone considering this program is to be honest with yourself about your work ethic and what you hope to gain from the experience. This isn’t just a learning opportunity, it’s a professional environment where people will count on you to show up, perform, and contribute. Make sure you’re emotionally and professionally prepared for that responsibility.
How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?
The academics in my program were quite different from what I’m used to at UW–Madison. Instead of exams and heavy quantitative work like I typically encounter in my finance courses, the classes here were much more discussion-based and writing-intensive. The learning environment felt more conversational and reflective, which allowed for deeper engagement with the material and encouraged us to connect what we were learning to real-world experiences. It was a refreshing shift in pace that helped me grow in new academic areas and sharpen my communication skills.
How will your experience benefit you in the future? How might it affect your future career or studies?
This experience will benefit me greatly in the future, both through the connections I’ve made and the insight I’ve gained into career paths I once thought were out of reach. Being surrounded by professionals working in areas I’ve long aspired to, especially within national security and defense, opened my eyes to new possibilities and gave me the confidence to pursue them. I’ve expanded my career interests beyond what I initially imagined. I used to think roles in departments like DHS, DOJ, or DOD were inaccessible, but this experience proved otherwise. Moving forward, I plan to explore more opportunities within the executive branch and deepen my understanding of how these agencies operate. Ultimately, I hope to return to this space in a nonpartisan, high-impact role where I can contribute meaningfully to national policy and public service.