Students are highly encouraged to explore, participate or engage in co-curricular and extracurricular activities for personal and professional development in addition to pursuing academic excellence! This page compiles the resources for various opportunities relevant to AAE and ABM students.
Academic Opportunities
Get started with study abroad and view the Major Advising Pages for AAE and ABM.
Attend an in-person or Zoom Study Abroad 101 and Funding information sessions – find all dates here.
Chat with a study abroad advisor through CALS Study Abroad Advising!
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Read about an ABM student’s recent experience of a study abroad program in the Czech Republic: https://blog.studyabroad.wisc.edu/archives/23845
CALS students receive more than $1.25 million in scholarships annually. AAE awards an average of $60,000 in scholarships per year to students in the department! Students must complete the General Application in WiSH every academic year in order to be matched to any open Departmental, School/College, and University scholarship opportunities. The CALS scholarship application window is usually November to February for the following academic year awarding. Work on your apps during the winter break!
- Eligible current AAE/ABM students should apply to the Renk Scholarship. See past scholarship recipients’ profiles here (2024-25) and here (2023-24).
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The Pulver-Shaffer Scholarship is awarded annually for undergrads who have or had an internship, project, or study in the area of Community Development. Stay tuned!
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There’s a CALS Internship Scholarship (links to 2025 app page, 2026 info TBA) for students who have an unpaid or underpaid summer internship! Application window: February to April. Learn more about CALS scholarships.
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Connect with Undergraduate Academic Awards for nation-wide and campus-wide awards.
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There are also scholarships from external organizations and foundations with missions to support AAE/ABM students.
- The Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association (WALSAA) awards scholarships for outstanding sophomores and seniors! The application period is in November to January every year.
- The GROWMARK Foundation provides scholarships to students pursuing agriculture and business-related degrees or certificates. Info for 2026 applications TBA. Contact recruiting@growmark.com for questions.
- The Midwest Food Products Association (MWFPA) scholarships open in early December and closes early April.
- Sheboygan County Wisconsin Scholarships: many opportunities with various deadlines!
Applied learning experiences:
- AAE 250: Trading Futures in Commodity Markets (new course in spring 2026)
- AAE 267: Career Development Seminar (offered every year, fall only)
- AAE 336: Economic Analysis Using Spreadsheets (new course in spring 2026)
- AAE 375: Classroom Consulting (offered in fall 2025)
- AAE 500: Capstone (offered every year, spring only)
Participate in CALS Case Competitions
Each semester, CALS hosts a Case Competition in partnership with a company or organization. Sponsored by the Renk Agribusiness Institute, these activities allow for teams of CALS undergraduate students from different majors to work together and provide recommendations on a real-world scenario.
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There’s an opportunity to experience real-world commodities trading through the CME Trading Challenge Enroll in AAE 250 and/or AAE 322 or connect with Prof. Sheldon Du if you’re interested!
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If you thoroughly enjoy/ed the course AAE 422: Food Systems and Supply Chains, check out the
Supply Chain Management Exploration Badge
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Also check out the Leadership Certificate and Sustainability Writing Awards! The Sustainability Writing Awards submission of non-fiction essays are usually due in the last week of November.
Research in applied economics require technical skills in statistical coding (e.g., R, Stata, Python background) plus rigorous course selection in economics, math/statistics, and computer programming. Students should have completed at minimal, MATH 221, AAE/ECON 101, ECON 102 and ECON 310. Economics research is best suited for those wanting to pursue a career in economics research, graduate school in economics/analytics or a career in economic academia.
See research topics and faculty associated with various areas of AAE in –
- Community Economics Development
- Development Economics
- Agricultural Economics
- Environmental and Resource Economics
AAE/ABM students can participate in research on campus outside of applied economics. WISCIENCE offers guidance/resources for undergrad research, Find-a-Mentor workshops and peer leader drop-ins.
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CALS has a Honors in Research Program for motivated students wanting to conduct their own original research and write a senior thesis.
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An additional resource for considering research in economics: predoc.org has recommended coursework and lists post-baccalaureate research opportunities. Also check out the undergrad research opportunities page from the American Economic Association.
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Prof. Steven Deller and a student, Charles Zumbrunnen completed a paper titled “A Trade Area Analysis of Wisconsin Retail and Service Markets: Updated for 2022”. Read it here.
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An AAE student published an article in the Equilibrium Vo. 15 about Warm Commodities in spring 2025. Equilibrium is an Undergrad Journal of Economics hosted by the Dept. of Economics.
Career Advising
- Career Exploration
- Internships
- Jobs
- Networking + Useful Tools
- Job Placement and Salary Statistics Report
Whether you’re just beginning your exploration, searching for a specific career path, writing resumes or prepping for interviews, there’re resources and support available for you at every step! On-campus resources available to all AAE/ABM students:
CALS Career Services Career Exploration Center Career Fairs and Events Career Assessments
Students can enroll in AAE 267: Career Development Seminar. This is a required class for ABM, but optional for AAE. Topics include resumes, cover letters, interviewing skills, internship and job applications, writing, career exploration, and networking. Panelists include faculty, alumni, and employers.
The State of WI Student Diversity Internship Program (SWSDIP) recruits students every year for multiple positions. Apps for 2026 will open in 2025 mid December.
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Check out the competitive Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago paid summer internship program. Internships postings appear in Oct.-Jan. for start in June.
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Promega has many internships in Madison! Great opportunities if you’re interested in research, marketing, sales or operations. Promega also has an Environmental, Health, and Safety internship and a Sustainability internship.
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Year-round marketing internship with Steelcase Inc.
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There’re many U.S. government internships and International Affairs-related jobs/internships that will be a great fit for AAE/ABM students! Also check out this article for a list of potential employers.
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Consider an intern abroad experience! Explore international internships through IAP and through UW Study Abroad.
- Insight FS has an open position in Ixonia, WI for Grain Originator. Recruiter contact: Heidi Johnson, hejohnson@insightfs.com.
- Rain and Hail, a crop insurance company has an Insurance Specialist Development Program for full-time, permanent positions. See full details and apply here.
- Browse for various career opportunities all over the U.S. with Dairy Farmers of America.
- RoachAg is looking for Business Development Specialists and Commodity Risk Advisors.
- Also see job posting platforms AGcareers.com and goodfoodjobs.com.
- Interested in working at UW-Madison? See all currently open positions! Current student job openings are found here.
If you haven’t already, set up your Handshake & LinkedIn profiles! Stay up to date with AAE happenings on LinkedIn.
Use Big Interview for help with cover letters and interview prep.
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There’s a Women in Agribusiness (WIA) professional network! Students can apply for a scholarship to attend the annual WIA Summit.
Data reports of post-undergrad jobs/career fields and salaries for AAE/ABM students or CALS students and counterparts at multiple universities.
Also see the Career Earnings report from the American Economic Association.
Alumni Inspiration
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AAE Alumni Profiles
Josh Alfonso AAE B.S. ’16, Certificates in Environmental Studies and Development Economics
Private Investments Strategist, Vanguard
Kelly Wilfert AAE and Life Sciences Communication B.S. ’17
Farm Law Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison, Division of Extension
Isabeau Hitzman AAE B.S. ’18
Managing Consultant, Guidehouse
Brayden Paur AAE B.S. ’19, Certificate in Development Economics
Data Analyst and Reporting Specialist, Water Mission
Maiah O’Rourke AAE, Journalism, and International Studies B.S. ’24, Certificate in Environmental Studies
Development Analyst, TED Renewables
Cole Hicken AAE B.S. ’24, Certificate in Science Communications and Environmental Studies
Assistant Loan Manager, Alcivia
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ABM Alumni Profiles
Muneera Khambaty (LinkedIn) ABM B.S. ’18, Certificate in Development Economics
Commodity Trader, Cargill
Abagail Catania (LinkedIn) ABM and Legal Studies B.S. ’19, Certificate in Criminal Justice
Director for Student Engagement, University of Evansville
Addison Arndt ABM B.S. ’20, Certificates in Religious Studies and Sustainability
Energy Division Business Manager, Premier Cooperative
Ashtyn Gutzman ABM B.S. ’20, Certificate in Sustainability
Co-owner of Gutzman Agronomy
Lusayo Mwakatika (LinkedIn) ABM B.S. ’21, Certificate in Entrepreneurship
Business Development Officer, ACADES
Kirstin Novak ABM B.S. ’23, Certificates in Food Systems and Sustainability
Marketing Coordinator, Ebert Enterprises
Extracurricular Opportunities
Find your community in the following organizations/associations in agriculture, economic or business fields:
- Alpha Gamma Rho – Iota Chapter
- Association of Women in Agriculture
- Badger Clubs in Cheese, Crops, Dairy & Meat
- Badger NAMA (National Agri-Marketing Association)
- Business Clubs and Organizations
- Collegiate Farm Bureau
- Economics Student Association
- Gamma Sigma Delta – The Honor Society of Agriculture
- Global Economic Forum – Madison
- Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
- Saddle and Sirloin
- Slow Food UW
- Social and Environmental Business Advocates
- The People’s Farm
- Women in Economics
The Morgridge Center for Public Service has volunteer resources and opportunities specifically for UW-Madison students looking to get involved in the community through service. Filter search opportunities by major, cause, and interest areas. Or become a Badger Volunteer!
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Apply to join the Wisconsin Experience Bus Trip! This is an exclusive, no-cost leadership journey across the state, open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
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The Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement (SOLI) is a great place to explore and connect with undergrad involvement in many areas!
The AAE department or UW-Madison does not directly endorse the organizations and companies presented here unless apparent or specifically noted. For each opportunity, please refer to the provided links and contact information for further details. The postings will be updated as frequently as the opportunities appear, so check back often!
