All-In Milwaukee held four successful Winter Institutes this year at Northwestern Mutual and Rite-Hite for all scholars, each designed to equip students with the skills and tools they need at every stage of their undergraduate and professional journeys. Winter Institutes, along with Summer Institutes held in August, are a core component of the All-In Milwaukee program, and all scholars are required to attend as part of their engagement.
“Programs like the Winter Institute create awareness and open doors for students who wouldn’t otherwise know these opportunities exist. Being here pushed me out of my comfort zone and showed me what’s possible when someone invests in you early.”
Each cohort of scholars focused on themes particular to where they are in each stage of their careers:
First-Years Continue to Practice Skils for Undergraduate Success
First-year scholars kicked off this year’s Winter Institute with a keynote from Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, setting an ambitious tone for their undergraduate and professional journeys. The day’s programming focused on building foundational skills essential for long-term success.
Lauren Lessac from UW–Milwaukee led a session on résumé building and storytelling, guiding scholars in improving formatting, articulating skills, and aligning their experiences with future career goals. All-In Milwaukee Scholar Advisors complemented this work with sessions on stress management and high-impact practices (HIPs), helping scholars understand how stress affects the body, learn self-regulation strategies, and develop plans to participate in a HIP during the spring or summer.
Together, these sessions equipped freshman scholars with the tools and confidence to begin their college experience with intention and momentum.
Sophomores Dive Deeper into Being Their Professional Self
An immersive day focused on leadership, self-identity, and career readiness, sophomores engaged in workshops and experiences designed to prepare them for academic and professional success. Scholars participated in interactive sessions on collaboration and authentic professional presence and took part in mock interviews with more than 60 volunteers from 30 AIM Career Partners, gaining real-world feedback and confidence for future opportunities.
Juniors Gear Up for Life After Graduation
The Junior Winter Institute brought scholars together for programming focused on professional development, financial readiness, and future planning. Following a keynote by Michael Sheppard, scholars participated in a panel discussion, “Screenshots Last Forever: Digital Habits for Career Success,” featuring professionals from Godfrey & Kahn, Molson Coors, Northwestern Mutual, and Hire Up. Panelists shared practical guidance on managing a digital footprint and understanding employer expectations in an increasingly online professional landscape.
Scholars also strengthened their financial literacy by setting goals, building a budget using the 50/30/20 framework, and examining key post-graduation decisions such as housing and car financing. Additional sessions, led in part by the Marquette University Career Center, focused on job search preparation, leveraging internship experiences, and exploring graduate school pathways, including the application process, personal statements, and funding options.
Together, these sessions equipped scholars with the tools and confidence to plan effectively for life after college
Seniors Prepare for a Job Market in the Era of AI
For seniors, the Winter Institute marked their final session as All-In Milwaukee Scholars, centered on the transition from college to career. The day’s programming combined practical guidance with hands-on experience. With support from the talent acquisition team at Rite-Hite, scholars explored how to leverage AI tools effectively and ethically while navigating today’s competitive employment landscape.
Throughout the day, scholars refined and finalized their résumés, practiced interview skills with experienced recruiters, strengthened their professional presentation, and completed job or graduate school applications. By the end of the session, scholars left feeling confident, prepared, and equipped to take the next steps as they approach graduation.
