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Design Thinking Intern Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Design Thinking Intern information

See Madison, WI salary details

$9

$19

$37

How much do design thinking intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for design thinking intern in Madison, WI is $19.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.52 and $21.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a design thinking intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Thinking Intern, you need a solid understanding of human-centered design principles, creative problem-solving abilities, and often a background or coursework in design, business, or related fields. Familiarity with prototyping tools (such as Figma or Sketch), collaborative platforms like Miro, and knowledge of design thinking frameworks are commonly expected. Strong communication, teamwork, and open-mindedness help you effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders and incorporate feedback. These skills are crucial for driving innovative solutions and delivering value to users in multidisciplinary environments.

What is the difference between Design Thinking Intern vs User Experience Intern?

AspectDesign Thinking InternUser Experience Intern
Required SkillsDesign thinking, problem-solving, creativityUser research, wireframing, prototyping
Work EnvironmentCollaborative, innovative projects, workshopsDesign teams, research sessions, usability testing
Industry UsageDesign agencies, tech companies, startupsTech firms, digital agencies, product companies

While both roles focus on improving products and services, a Design Thinking Intern emphasizes applying design thinking methodologies to solve complex problems creatively. In contrast, a User Experience Intern concentrates on understanding user needs through research and creating user-centered designs. Both internships offer valuable experience in the design and tech industries, often overlapping in skills and work environments.

What is a design thinking intern?

A Design Thinking Intern is a student or recent graduate who assists organizations in applying design thinking methodologies to solve problems and create user-centered solutions. They typically work on research, brainstorming sessions, prototyping, and testing ideas under the guidance of experienced team members. The role provides hands-on experience in understanding user needs, collaborating across disciplines, and contributing to the innovation process within a company or organization.

What types of projects and team collaborations can a design thinking intern expect during their internship?

As a Design Thinking Intern, you can expect to work on a variety of hands-on projects that focus on understanding user needs, ideating creative solutions, and prototyping concepts. You will typically collaborate with cross-functional teams, including designers, product managers, and engineers, to contribute fresh perspectives during brainstorming sessions and workshops. Interns are often involved in conducting user research, helping facilitate design sprints, and iterating on feedback. This role provides valuable exposure to real-world problem-solving while working closely with experienced professionals in a supportive, team-oriented environment.
What are popular job titles related to Design Thinking Intern jobs in Madison, WI? For Design Thinking Intern jobs in Madison, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Design Thinking Intern jobs in Madison, WI look for? The top searched job categories for Design Thinking Intern jobs in Madison, WI are:
Infographic showing various Design Thinking Intern job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 84% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,612 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

Senior Strategy Analyst

Compeer Financial

Sun Prairie, WI • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Compeer Financial rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Empowered to live. Inspired to work.
Compeer Financial is a member-owned cooperative located in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. We bring together team members with a variety of backgrounds and experiences to help provide financial services to support agriculture and rural communities. Join us in a culture that not only promotes meaningful work and professional development, but provides a flexible, hybrid work environment and excellent benefits, which empower you to thrive both personally and professionally.

How we support you:

  • Hybrid model - up to 50% work from home
  • Flexible schedules including ample flexibility in the summer months
  • Up to 9% towards 401k (3% fixed Compeer contribution plus up to 6% match)
  • Benefits: medical, dental, vision, HSA/FSA, life & AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability, wellness program & EAP
  • Vacation, sick leave, holidays/floating holidays, parental leave, and volunteer paid time off
  • Learning and development programs
  • Mentorship programs
  • Cross-functional committee opportunities (i.e. Inclusion Council, emerging professional groups, etc.)
  • Professional membership/certification reimbursement and more!

Casual/seasonal & intern team members are not eligible for benefits except for state-mandated programs.

To learn more about Compeer Financial visitwww.compeer.com/careers.

Where you will work: This position offers a hybrid work option up to 50% remote and is open to any Compeer office location in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The contributions you will make:

This position is responsible for independently leading key components of strategic projects and supporting Compeer Financial's enterprise and business unit strategy efforts. You will conduct advanced analysis, develop insights, and take ownership of defined workstreams that inform decision making and growth priorities. Contributes across strategy, business development, and innovation initiatives, and may engage directly with internal stakeholders to share findings and shape recommendations. May also provide informal coaching and support to junior team members.

A typical day:

Analytical Workstream Ownership

  • Leads the design and execution of key analytical workstreams (e.g., market analysis, financial modeling, customer segmentation).
  • Defines analytical approaches, coordinate inputs, and ensures quality and completeness of findings.
  • Synthesizes and communicates implications of analysis to the team.

Strategic Research and Insight Development

  • Conducts deep-dive research and analysis to inform enterprise and business unit strategies.
  • Tracks and interprets trends in client behavior, market shifts, competitor moves, and emerging technologies.
  • Supports development of strategic options and growth hypotheses.

Communication & Executive Deliverables

  • Develops structured, visually compelling presentation materials for senior leadership.
  • Drafts sections of strategic memos, briefing documents, and project reports with minimal oversight.
  • Assists in creating storylines and summarizing strategic narratives.

Cross-Functional Engagement and Teamwork

  • Collaborates across the organization, including with Finance, Credit, Marketing, and business units to gather data, validate assumptions, and ensure alignment on strategic analysis and business performance insights.
  • Serves as a thought partner to junior team members and provides informal coaching on tools, frameworks, and analysis.
  • Supports development of reusable tools, templates, and strategic planning resources.

The skills and experience we prefer you have:

  • Bachelor's degree in business, economics, finance, engineering, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.
  • Advanced-level experience in strategy, corporate finance, management consulting or market research, required. Experience in the financial/agriculture industry, preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead complex analyses, build business cases, and contribute to strategy formulation.
  • Strong Excel and PowerPoint proficiency; familiarity with Tableau, SQL, or CRM tools a plus.
  • Advanced business judgment, structured thinking, and a track record of using analysis to drive strategic recommendations.
  • Advanced skill in scoping, executing, and validating analytical workstreams. Able to define relevant metrics, challenge assumptions, and generate insight from data.
  • Advanced ability to connect dots across research, data, and stakeholder input to identify meaningful strategic insights and implications.
  • Advanced understanding of core business drivers, including customer economics, financial performance metrics, and value creation principles.
  • Interested in emerging business models, technology trends, and opportunities for growth in agriculture, rural development, or finance.

How we will take care of you:

Our job titles may span more than one career level (associate, senior, principal, etc.). The actual title and base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role is eligible for variable compensation and other benefits.

Base Pay
$94,400—$142,900 USD

Compeer Financial is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. Compeer is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Click here to view federal employment laws applicable for applicants.


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