Wanda Fullmore Youth Internship Program (WFYIP)
More Than an Internship
Common Wealth has partnered annually with the City of Madison since 2015 to provide Madison youth with the opportunity to work a paid nine-week summer internship opportunity with hands-on experiential learning opportunities. The program’s namesake, Wanda Fullmore, grew up in Madison, graduated from Vel Phillips Memorial High School, and spent her career working in the City of Madison Mayor’s Office for nearly 30 years. Her passion for supporting the community and building lasting relationships continues to inspire how this program incorporates the voices of Madison youth in the long-term planning of the city.
A Summer of Learning and Leading
The Wanda Fullmore Youth Internship Program offers City of Madison Youth a nine-week, paid summer internship that provides the opportunity to learn more about employment with the City of Madison. However, interns do more than work for 8 weeks. They receive mentorship from Common Wealth Development staff, complete professional development trainings, and lend their perspectives and vision to a real-world City development project as their capstone accomplishment.
This program is a unique opportunity for Madison youth to form valuable connections, gain exposure to different career paths, boost their resume, and represent the voice of Madison youth. Each summer is built around three pillars:
Professional Development
Experiential Learning
Capstone Project
Once accepted into the program, youth receive a Chromebook to use during the program and keep upon program end, as well as a bus pass to assist with getting to and from internship activities. Interns are also automatically enrolled to earn elective school credits through MMSD’s Experiential Learning program for their work throughout the summer.
How Interns Spend Their Time
Interns work an average of 20 hours per week during the nine-week program. Their time is divided amongst professional development training, in-person work at their job placement, and additional community development and engagement projects. Youth also come together to build peer-to-peer connections and step into leadership roles.
Youth receive training in topics including:
Resumes
Communication
Teamwork
Financial Fluency
Post-secondary education planning
Goal Setting
Public Speaking
Urban Planning
Internship Placements
All interns work in-person internship placements either with a City of Madison department or in Common Wealth’s Civic Engagement & Leadership placement.
Past City of Madison placements include:
Parks Division
City Attorney’s Office
Madison Public
Library Central
Branch
Engineering Division
Public health
Madison Police Department Community Outreach and Resource Education (CORE) Unit
Warner Park Community Recreation Center
Information
Technology
Department
Finance and
Purchasing
Department
And Many Others!
Eligibility and How to Apply
Applications open in mid-January and close at the end of March.
Applicants must have a City of Madison address
OR
Be enrolled in an MMSD school
Applicants must be at least 14-years-old at the time they apply.
Watch
the
2026
Capstone
Presentation!
Watch the 2026 Capstone Presentation!
My experience as a Wanda Fullmore Youth Intern was very memorable. I worked at the beautiful Central Library and was able to work in different departments with people of all ages while combining my hobbies into my work. My supervisor was an amazing woman who taught me independence and guided me every step of the way.
- Destiny, Past Wanda Fullmore Participant
