Home-style cookin', Big-city networkin'

Dinners On Wisconsin! invites students to participate in a unique opportunity to network with alumni from a variety of professional backgrounds over a free meal. Participating alumni are eager to share their experiences of the "real world" with current undergraduate students like yourself in order to help you explore future career options. The dinners will be held at area homes or local restaurants, where you will join 10-12 other students with similar aspirations.

This program provides a unique opportunity for students to network with alumni while exploring future career options in an intimate, friendly and welcoming environment. The casual atmosphere of the event allows students to converse with successful UW alums on a personal level: something you will not find anywhere else.

Dinners On Wisconsin! has had tangible success for seven consecutive semesters. Winning the bronze "Best Outreach Program" in the nation, awarded by Association for Student Advancement Programs, speaks volumes about DOW's achievements.

Just ask UW students. "I sort of happened upon Dinners On Wisconsin! last fall, and am I ever glad that I did," said James DuMont x'08 after attending a dinner with a lab scientist who is involved in creating government policies. "It was a great break in the routine and a valuable career experience. I'll definitely be going again in the future."

After attending many other UW events and activities, Andrew Granias x'09 feels that Dinners On Wisconsin! has undoubtedly been the most useful event in preparing him for his future. "The small size of the dinner coupled with the comfortable atmosphere provided by the hosts, made it extremely easy to make a real connection with the alumni," Granias said. "The result: I have a brand new internship, a better idea about my career interests and a clearer picture of where I want to go in life."

In 2006, Susan Lampert Smith '82 wrote about a DOW dinner for the Wisconsin State Journal and On, Wisconsin! magazine. She attended a dinner hosted by veteran Wisconsin polticos Bill Kraus, Jay Heck and former Governor Tony Earl.