Rachel Schreiber, '23, Builds a Career Through Student Experience
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet

Rachel Schreiber, '23 (United Way of Dane County)

When Rachel Schreiber reflects on what prepared her most for life after graduation, she credits the moments where learning moved beyond theory and into practice — where responsibility, people and problem-solving came together.

“Experiential learning played a major role in preparing me for my career,” Schreiber said. “It gave me real‑world experience and helped me learn to work with people outside my peer group, something you can’t fully get in a classroom.”

Today, Schreiber serves as development operations coordinator for United Way of Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin, where she oversees data and operations for the fundraising team. She also coordinates and facilitates training for employee campaign managers and specialists. 

Schreiber’s pathway to this role was shaped steadily through leadership opportunities, internships and hands-on involvement during her time at NIU. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit and NGO studies, with minors in social entrepreneurship and sociology, an academic combination that helped connect her interests in community, service and organizational impact. 

“NIU helped me find opportunities that I didn’t even know existed, which has led me to my career today,” Schreiber said.

Outside the classroom, she sought out experiences that allowed her to apply that framework. As a Northern ambassador, Schreiber served as a tour guide for prospective students, becoming both a storyteller for NIU and a first point of connection for future Huskies. The role required confidence and adaptability — skills that developed quickly through repeated interaction. She later assumed a leadership position as a Northern ambassador supervisor, responsible for supporting peers and managing expectations. 

“You’re constantly interacting with new people,” Schreiber said. “That role really helped me build confidence and communication skills.”

At the same time, Schreiber deepened her commitment to service as chapter director for Kesem, a national nonprofit supporting children affected by a parent’s cancer. Working closely with student volunteers as the chapter liaison, she gained insight into how successful mission-driven work is not just about bringing together passionate individuals but also having a strong behind-the-scenes organization. The role taught her how to lead with accountability and collaboration.

“It felt like I was running a small nonprofit as a student, giving me real-time, hands-on experience,” she said. 

Schreiber’s internships further reinforced that lesson. As an events intern with Aurora (Illinois) Downtown, Schreiber helped facilitate events and supported efforts highlighting local businesses. She quickly learned that community-based work demands creativity and flexibility.

“There are so many moving parts,” she said. “You learn that clear communication, preemptive coordination and adaptability go a long way in making things run smoothly.”

Later, as a marketing intern with CASA DeKalb County, Schreiber gained experience that would later directly inform her career path. She helped plan and execute a key fundraiser, created a newsletter template and supported donor communications through database work. The experience exposed her to development work and data — paving the way for her role at the United Way.
 

Across her internships and leadership roles, Schreiber says the most lasting lessons were not just technical but interpersonal. Navigating professional environments taught her when to speak up, when to seek guidance and how to set expectations.

“I learned how to ask for help when I needed it and how to ask for more work when I was ready,” she said. “I also learned how to set goals and follow through in a real workplace.”

Those skills now show up daily in her work at United Way of Dane County, where much of her impact happens behind the scenes. While her role isn’t always visible, it is essential to the organization’s fundraising efforts and long-term effectiveness.

“A lot of my job is supporting others so they can be successful,” she said. “That means managing systems, working with data and helping people feel prepared and confident.”

Looking back, Schreiber sees a clear throughline between her NIU experiences and her professional role — each opportunity building on the last, shaping both her skills and her sense of purpose.

“Leadership roles, internships and classes all worked together,” she said. 

When asked about the value of experiential learning for students, her answer comes easily.

“I think it plays a big role in helping students feel set up to succeed academically and professionally,” she said. “It teaches you how to advocate for yourself and how to navigate a real workplace, which makes the transition after graduation so much smoother.”

Help power transformational experiences at NIU that launch professional careers — Learn more at niuforward.com.