Institute of Politics

Mark Schauerte manages the placement of undergraduate and graduate students in internships nationwide and internationally. At the IOP, Mark helps bring speakers to campus to discuss career paths, roles in politics and journalism, and skills for students to position themselves for careers in public service. 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.

Availability: Wednesdays, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Kenzi Bustamante is a fourth-year rural student from Missouri involved with College Republicans and Students for Life. She’s completing her undergraduate studies at UChicago in Biology, and is part of the BA/MPP Harris program. Kenzi has held internships in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, and she specializes in Chicago and D.C. opportunities, international internships, conservative opportunities, nonprofits, and connecting you with programs on campus.

Availability: Mondays, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Laura Giugno is a fourth-year in the College from Rochester, New York. She is a Political Science, Philosophy, and Law, Letters, and Society triple major and active in debate and research through the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. She can share about her experience as a White House Intern and as an investigative intern with the Public Defender’s Office, as well as building a network in DC.

Availability: Tuesdays, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Divya Mehrotra is a third-year in the College majoring in Business Economics and Political Science from the San Francisco Bay Area. On campus, she is involved with the University of Chicago’s Pre-Law Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, the Undergraduate Law Magazine, Women+ in Law, and the International Policy Program at the IOP. She can speak to her experiences working at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and for Dr. Damon Jones of the Harris School of Public Policy and recruiting for finance, legal, and policy positions. She is looking forward to helping other students pursue careers in international policy and in the intersections of law, finance, and policy.

Availability: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Fridays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Emma Kortebein is a second-year Master of Public Policy student from Milwaukee with a focus on economic and foreign policy. She's also an Executive Editor for the Chicago Policy Review and a Writing Fellow with the Harris Writing Workshop. Before graduate school, Emma had a chance to do a little bit of everything, including experiences in consulting, a mental health start-up, election campaigns and a brief stint in the UK as a backpacking guide. She is looking forward to helping students hone in on their career interests and create materials that best reflect what they have to offer.

Availability: Thursdays, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Hannah Gaffney is a second-year Master of Public Policy student who is interested in increasing turnout among low-propensity voters. After receiving her undergraduate degree in International Studies from the University of Washington, she spent four years working at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, first in the Philanthropy department and later in the Office of the General Counsel. Hannah is eager to expand access and broaden internship opportunities at the IOP and help students explore their professional strengths and interests.

Availability: Tuesdays, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Heather Johnson is a first-year Master of Public Policy student with a focus on economic and healthcare policy. Prior to graduate school, Heather attended undergraduate at Chapman University. She has experience as a city council campaign manager, political canvasser and research assistant. She is excited to help other students find internships and explore different career interests.