Mayra Alaniz participated in Earn & Learn the summer after her freshman year of college, placing her on a path for career advancement. She worked in the Office of the Mayor answering calls and drafting letters to help residents address a variety of concerns. The experience sparked a passion for political science, which Mayra went on to major in before getting a Master of Business Administration at Marquette University. 

After her Earn & Learn internship, she continued to intern at Milwaukee City Hall in various positions and landed a full-time job in Mayor Tom Barrett’s office after graduating, contributing to the marketing and outreach of the Earn & Learn programs. 

“It was great to give back to a program that truly paved the way for my career today in workforce development,” Mayra said. 

Through Earn & Learn, Mayra gained an internship that blossomed into a rewarding career, working her way up through the mayor’s office to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) where she currently works as a Program and Policy Senior Analyst. In her role, she manages the implementation and spending priorities of Governor Evers’ $128 million Workforce Innovation Grant.  

“I provide strategic oversight, develop policy, coordinate grant reporting, and support 27 grantees tackling Wisconsin’s most pressing workforce challenges, from skills gaps and childcare shortages to housing and transportation barriers.” 

Beyond her successful career advancement, she continues to champion educational and economic mobility in her community. She was recently awarded the United Way Philanthropic 5 for her leadership in workforce development and for helping to create the career closet at Marquette University.