Student Experience
There’s nothing like the Business Badger experience
The Wisconsin MBA is more than a set of classes, it’s an experience unlike any other.
Join a community powered by opportunity
Follow along with Janani Iyer (MBA ’27) for a glimpse into her life as a Wisconsin MBA student. Check out campus, meet other students, and hear about global trips, student orgs, and an end-of-year celebration for the MBA community.
Learn beyond the classroom
Join Wisconsin MBA finance students as they go on a career trek to Minneapolis to visit big name employers, make connections, and build deeper bonds with their classmates.
Hours on the bus: 4.5
Companies visited: 4
Connections made: More than we can count
Build lasting, career-defining connections
Wisconsin’s culture of collaboration over competition is a defining part of your MBA experience. Check out these scenes of Graduate Business Association events featuring Wisconsin MBA students.
Experiences outside the classroom
Career treks
Visit companies over two to three days in cities across the U.S. Past locations include Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle. Past employers include Amazon, Baird, Bloomberg, Deloitte, General Mills, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Pfizer, Qualtrics, Starbucks, Target, Verizon, and 3M. The school covers the cost of lodging and part of your travel.
On-campus events
Attend employer career fairs, coffee chats, industry panels, and interactive workshops to expand your network, sharpen your skills, and dive deeper into careers you’re interested in. Knowledge centers, student organizations, the MBA program, and others host events. Direct access to recruiters and alumni helps you learn about industries and opens doors to full-time positions.
In their words: Students on learning by doing
AI as a Co-Pilot: Lessons from Launching Nova’s Next Product
Liam Hirsch (MBA ’27)
Turning Ideas into Impact: Leadership at the Tech Exploration Lab
Ashleigh King (MBA ’27)
Trekking the Twin Cities w/ Priya Pathare
Priya Pathare (MBA ’26)
Chicago career trek
“Visiting a diverse set of organizations, hearing different career journeys, and seeing HR in action made the experience both meaningful and inspiring. Beyond the company insights, it was also valuable to strengthen relationships with my cohort and continue to build connections. The trek reinforced my excitement for a career in HR and gave me a clearer, real-world perspective on the many paths and opportunities ahead.”
Companies visited: Chicago Bulls, Cisco, McDonald’s, Molson Coors, and Willis Towers Watson
Going global
Visit companies and experience global business firsthand. These experiences are optional and usually occur during winter break.
From Madison, WI, to Accra: Inside an MBA Immersion in Ghana
David Hadar (MBA ’26)
Nicholas Center MBA International Immersion: London & Brussels
MBA finance students
Limitless in Lisbon: Exploring the Link Between Tradition and Tech
Chloe Harper (MBA ’27)
Exploring marketing campaigns in Ghana
“During an eight-day immersion in Ghana, global business came to life through hands-on company visits, candid conversations with local leaders, and cultural exposure that reshaped my view of emerging markets.”
Ghana global trip participant
Explore MBA student organizations
Student organizations and clubs are a great way to take on leadership roles. There are more than 70 student orgs and clubs at WSB and over 1,000 on the UW–Madison campus. Below is a sampling.
The city you’ll call home
Madison is easy to love. It has all the big city amenities with the humble warmth of a small town, making it a place that instantly feels like home.
Grainger Hall
Literally and figuratively at the crossroads of campus, Grainger Hall is where different academic disciplines intersect, ideas turn into action, and you become trusted to lead.
Home to one of the top-ranked business schools in the nation, Grainger Hall is where you’ll spend most of your time.
Welcome to your home away from home.
UW–Madison campus
There’s a reason our university is called a new ivy.
You’ll experience rigorous, hands-on curriculum and access exceptional resources at this top-ranked research institution.
Here, the Wisconsin Idea is our guiding principle—to use education to make a positive impact beyond the boundaries of campus.
Madison, Wisconsin
It’s more than a college town. Consistently ranked among the country’s best places to live, this vibrant capital city has endless opportunities.
Nature and urban spaces seamlessly blend together. A rich food scene shows our culinary prowess. And the arts, music, sports, and cultural experiences are everywhere.
What students love about Madison
A place to call home
“There is no better environment to immerse yourself in and no better city to call home. The program’s academic depth is complemented by Madison’s natural beauty and strong sense of community, where a walk along Lake Mendota or Lake Monona can be just as formative as time spent in the classroom.”
—Daniel Adix (MBA ’27)
A vibrant community
“UW–Madison is one of the most vibrant campus communities you’ll find anywhere in the world. There is always something going on, and you’ll have opportunities available to you in these two years that are only available to you in these two years. Make the most of it by being as involved as you can.”
—Nick Wong (BA ’16, MBA ’25)
Associate Financial Advisor, Baird
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
A culture of connection
“Madison is an amazing city with a vibrant atmosphere and great people, making it an ideal place to study and connect with a diverse community.”
—Olivia Kossel (MBA ’26)
A beautiful city
“What I loved most about Madison were the farmer’s markets held at the capitol. On Saturday mornings, I looked forward to strolling through the market, soaking in the sights, sounds, and smells. The beautiful city of Madison is captivating and can make anyone feel like they are home.”
—Ibrahim Abubakar (MBA ’24)
Marketing Rotational Manager, Pfizer
New York City
A place for exploration
“One of my favorite activities was attending our weekly Thursday After Professional Studies (TAPS) gatherings. Exploring the beautiful parts of Madison on bike rides with friends was a cherished hobby of mine. I also loved sampling the diverse cuisines.”
—Goncha Muradli (MBA ’24)
Strategist, American Family Insurance
Madison, Wisconsin
Embracing inclusivity: Resources & support
Clubs & services
Partnerships & fellowships
“Moving to Wisconsin as a gay Latino was a significant transition. I was unsure about the cultural reception, but my classmates were incredibly welcoming and warm, allowing me to be my authentic self.”
Vice President, Business Strategy of Chase Auto, JP Morgan Chase
Chicago
“As a Forté ambassador and president of Graduate Women in Business (GWiB), I helped create space for women in business to connect with top leaders across industries, openly discuss the challenges women face in the workforce, and build the networks and strategies to overcome them. GWiB hosted events featuring executives from a range of industries, and one standout was a negotiation workshop led by Professor Min Li—one of the most practically valuable experiences of my MBA.”
Associate Brand Manager, General Mills
Minneapolis
“The journey from India to pursue my MBA in the United States presented significant challenges, but with determination and the backing of both the MBA program and WSB’s Erdman Center for Operations and Technology, I navigated these hurdles successfully. Beyond the academic realm, the richness of the experience lay in the diverse cohort of peers with whom I collaborated. Together, we forged enduring relationships and honed essential leadership and teamwork abilities.”
Strategic Sourcing Partner-Technology, Autodesk
Austin
“I’ve found community and inspiration through the Veterans Club, which has been essential in helping me transition into the academic mindset by connecting me with others who have served. Through these connections, I’ve been able to share my own experiences, listen to stories of other veterans, and rediscover a sense of brotherhood I deeply value.”
“The Consortium is an organization I never knew I needed until I was a part of it. It gave me a community of supporters, not only at the Wisconsin School of Business but far beyond, that are truly invested in my success as a person of color in the business world. In addition to the fellowship and early recruiting opportunities, one of the major benefits of The Consortium is the alumni network. Whether it was mock interviews, helping grow my network, or meeting to chat, the alumni were beyond helpful in my growth.”
Human Resources Consultant, Microsoft
Madison, Wisconsin
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