Our Career Workshops allow for deep dives into specific fields within public service and the skills you'd need to succeed in those sectors. Additionally, students can meet with our Career Development team for career advising. For help with their resume and cover letter, students can meet with Laresa or one of our peer advisors.
Mark Schauerte manages the placement of undergraduate and graduate students in internships nationwide and internationally. He previously served as chief of staff to Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) for more than four years, working both in Washington, D.C., and the Chicago suburbs. Mark is also an attorney and worked as an award-winning journalist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Chicago Lawyer Magazine.
Laresa Lund helps manage the IOP’s 300+ academic-year and summer internships, with a primary focus on the Chicago-based academic-year internship portfolio. Her areas of expertise include Chicago-based internships, resume development, cover letter writing, and networking preparation. She is also excited to help rural students, folks interested in conservation work, and those searching for AmeriCorps opportunities.
Ava Iwasko is a fourth-year student studying Public Policy and Human Rights. At the IOP, Ava is co-chair for W+ and co-events chair for Spectrum. She has also written for UChicago's newspaper, The Chicago Maroon. Last summer, Ava interned for two political strategic consulting firms, Magnify Strategies and K.O. Strategies. Ava has also interned with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s Federal Affairs Office in Washington, D.C. and with A Better Chicago. Ava has been with the Career Development team for three years, and she is looking forward to working with students as they explore internship options and improve their application materials!
Jose Alvarez is a third-year student majoring in Human Rights and Law, Letters, and Society. He has previously interned for Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), the Office of U.S. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), and the Office of Illinois State Representative Kam Buckner (IL-26). On campus, Jose is involved in the Colombia/South Africa Corporate Accountability Project and the Global Human Rights Lab, serves as the Head Student Advocate in the Student Advocate’s Office, serves on the Community Service Fund, and is an Under-Secretary-General for MUNUC. He is excited to help you navigate the process of applying for internships!
Gabriella Aviles is a third-year student majoring in Public Policy and minoring in Data Science. She previously interned as the IOP’s Summer in Chicago Career Development intern and most recently interned with Chicago Public Schools’ Office of Equity as a Data intern. On campus, Gabriella is involved in the Student Advocate’s Office and Bridge to College, an RSO that mentors local high school students through the college application process.
Alexa Shepherd is a third-year student double-majoring in Political Science and Public Policy. On campus, she is a planner for the W+ Winter Institute, a voting ambassador for UChiVotes, and a frequent flyer at Fellows and Speaker Series events here at the IOP. Alexa has spent the last few summers volunteering on grassroots campaigns throughout Northern Minnesota, focusing on candidates for the MN State legislature. As a rural student, she is passionate about local politics and empowering students to make effective change in their own backyards.
The IOP's Career Development program offers a variety of workshops aimed at preparing students with all levels of experience for a career in public service.
Our career team helps students write their resume and cover letter, become comfortable with networking, and hone interviewing skills. We also invite political practitioners to network with students and share their experiences within their respective fields.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, many of our workshops will be Lunch & Learns on Fridays from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. We'll gather in the IOP living room, eat pizza, and put our heads together to prepare you for your desired career field.
