Private Debt and Equity Intern

Location: Madison Wisconsin

Making a Difference

The State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB), founded in 1951, is a premier global investment organization responsible for managing the more than $178 billion of assets of the fully funded Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), the State Investment Fund and other state funds. Through SWIB’s effective and innovative investment management, WRS remains one of the only fully funded US public pensions. The WRS consistently ranks among the 10 largest public pension funds in the U.S. SWIB is recognized by the investment industry for our teamwork and innovation. SWIB pursues sophisticated global investment strategies across the asset and risk allocation spectrum. Providers across the investment ecosystem seek to partner with SWIB.

Serving more than 703,000 beneficiaries of the WRS, SWIB is a mission-driven organization focused on providing a strong financial future to those who committed their careers to public service. For public employees and the 1,607 Wisconsin employers who contribute on their behalf, we are a trusted partner. Our team innovates continuously to meet the challenges of an evolving investment landscape while growing and protecting the assets of the WRS.

SWIB provides a strong, steady economic pillar for the state of Wisconsin by growing the trust funds under its management, managing risk, and optimizing costs of the long term. We are a mission-driven organization and the participants we serve are our mission. By bringing a disciplined, prudent, and innovative approach to market opportunities, SWIB has been successful in generating required returns and maintaining the trust of the beneficiaries and stakeholders of the funds we oversee.

Home To Top Talent

Our high-performing staff is key to what makes us a premier investment manager. SWIB is committed to investing in talented professionals to implement our robust, sophisticated investment strategies and to keep the organization at the forefront of the investment industry. We encourage innovation and offer professional development opportunities to help staff sharpen and expand their skills. Approximately 61 percent of SWIB’s investment professionals are Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholders.

Job Description

About the Teams

The Private Debt team consists of three investment professionals that actively manage approximately $1 billion of AUM.  This team is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and monitoring senior loans, subordinated debt, and minority equity investments in operating private and public companies. The Private Debt team investment and monitoring processes include the evaluation of the subject Company’s strategy, historical financial performance, projects, debt structure, credit metrics, management team, industry, and more.

The Private Equity team consists of eight investment professionals that actively manage approximately $24 billion of AUM.  The Private Equity team is responsible for sourcing and selecting private equity firms to invest in through fund investments and co-investments in both private debt and equity strategies. The private equity portfolio is managed to generate both attractive absolute returns and relative returns versus the private equity benchmark.

Private Equity’s investment process includes significant qualitative and quantitative diligence focused on managers, investment strategy, stage of investment, geography, and historical track record.  Investment professionals meet with existing and prospective private equity firms in Madison and across the globe to evaluate quality of return and fit within the portfolio.

Position Overview

SWIB is seeking a student intern to join its Private Debt and Equity teams. This position lends the opportunity for the intern to gain exposure to different investment strategies across the private debt and equity asset classes. The intern will monitor and review current investments in the Private Debt portfolio, assist in the selection of new debt investments and private equity managers, and participate in ad-hoc projects for the Private Debt and Equity teams. The intern will work up to 40 hours per week during the summer.

Essential activities

Spread financial statements, review recent operating results, and analyze the performance of existing private debt investments.

Assist Portfolio Managers and Investment Analysts with the due diligence process on private equity funds and co-investments through quantitative and qualitative methods resulting in an investment recommendation.

Perform fundamental credit analysis on prospective new private debt investments.

Special projects, as assigned.

The Ideal candidate

Ability to work in Madison, WI for an approximate 10-week period beginning late May/early June 2027.

Undergraduate or graduate student with Finance or Accounting major.

Relevant coursework in accounting and a basic understanding of financial statement analysis.

Financial modeling experience is a plus.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.

Familiarity with AI tools, especially ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.