FAQs – Applications
Question: Am I eligible for a SWSDIP internship?
Answer: Applicants must meet all of the following criteria in order to be eligible for SWSDIP:
- legally authorized to work in the United States,
- at least 18 years of age at the time the internship program begins (May 18, 2026),
- currently enrolled in, recently graduated from (fall 2025/spring 2026), or planning to attend a 2-year, 4-year, or graduate school (fall 2026), and,
- living in Wisconsin during the internship program period.
Question: Where can I find information on the available internships?
Answer: We have 113 internships located across the state of Wisconsin. Please use the online catalog or the interactive state map above to search available positions.
Question: How do I apply for an internship?
Answer: The SWSDIP application has two parts: the first part of the application determines applicant eligibility for the internship program, and the second part of the application allows eligible applicants to apply for specific positions at state agencies. You must complete both applications in order to be considered for an internship position.
When you complete the first part of the application on Wisc.Jobs, you will receive an email on the following business day confirming whether or not you are eligible for the internship program. Eligible applicants will receive a second email containing a link to the second part of the application in AccessGov.
Question: How long will the SWSDIP application be open?
Answer: The first part of the SWSDIP application (available on Wisc.Jobs – job opening ID 19414) will remain open until 11:59 pm central time on Friday, February 6, 2026. The second part of the application (in AccssGov) will remain open until 11:59 pm central time on Friday, February 13, 2026.
Question: I completed both applications, when will I hear back?
Answer: The application period closes in early February 2026 – part one of the application closes on February 6, 2026, and part two of the application closes on February 13, 2026. State agencies will begin reviewing applications at the end of February. You will be notified by a state agency directly if you have been selected for an interview, which will take place during the month of March. We anticipate job offers for internships will be made by April 3, 2026.
Question: I'm studying abroad and can't access the second part of the application, who should I contact?
Answer: Please reach out to doadpmswsdip@wisconsin.gov to set up a time to complete your application.
Question: I completed the first part of the application and I'm eligible for the internship, but I didn't get the email with the link to the second part of the application, what should I do?
Answer: Eligible applicants will receive an email from doadpmswsdip@wisconsin.gov with a link to the second part of the application. Please note that state agencies are closed on December 24th, 25th, and 31st and January 1st and 19th. If you complete the first part of your application on any of the days we are closed, the second email will arrive on the next day that we are open (December 26th, January 2nd, and January 20st, respectively). Please reach out to doadpmswsdip@wisconsin.gov if you did not receive the email.
Question: How many internship positions can I apply for?
Answer: There is no limit to the number of positions that an eligible applicant may apply for.
Question: Do I need a resume to apply for an internship?
Answer: No, you do not need to provide a resume. The Wisc.Jobs application will ask for a resume, but if you do not have a resume, you can describe your job/life experience up to this point.
Question: Do I need to create an account in AccessGov to complete the second part of the application?
Answer: No, you do not need to create an account in AccessGov to complete the application.
FAQs – Internship
Question: Are SWSDIP internships paid?
Answer: Yes! All SWSDIP internships are paid.
Question: Is housing available for the summer?
Answer: Interns are solely responsible for securing housing and housing costs. To explore short-term housing options in Madison, please visit the UW-Madison Off Campus Housing Marketplace.
Question: When does the internship start, and when does it end?
Answer: Internships usually start the week of May 18, 2026, and end by August 14, 2026. There is some flexibility around the start and end dates – please discuss any questions you may have during the interview process.
Have a question that wasn't covered in the FAQs?
Reach out to doadpmswsdip@wisconsin.gov!