Hands-on experience is a core part of the education process. Without testing out or trying things, your career interests remain theoretical. Experiential learning allows you to enhance your personal and professional development through direct experience and reflection. Some of the most common forms of experiential learning include:
Internships
Internships expose you to a specific career. As a student or recent graduate, you may do project work or serve in a support role. No matter what your duties, you will gain exposure to a field of your choosing and build professional experience. Internships also have the possibility of converting into a full-time job. Requirements for gaining academic credit for an internship vary from school to school, depending on your primary WashU major. Search for internships, jobs, and other experiences on Handshake.
Summer and Part-Time Jobs
When you work (as opposed to intern), it’s less of a “learning mode” situation. But you can gain excellent and important experience, and earn money as the employer relies on you for a particular skill set that you bring to the organization.
Volunteer/Service
Service experience is valued by employers and graduate schools. These are great opportunities to test out fields of interest, gain exposure to diverse people and communities, help meet a community need, and keep perspective as you are moving through school. United Way is a source for finding these opportunities, nationally, as is Idealist.org and VolunteerMatch. At WashU, check The Gephardt Institute and the Campus Y to learn about possibilities for local involvement.
Project work or “Micro-internships”
Increasingly, employers have realized the potential of having students engage in paid, remote project work for their organizations and companies. They list this work with companies such as Parker Dewey. These short-term experiences are valuable for trying out skills.
Skill Building
Employers like to see how you push yourself to grow and learn about their work. Develop practical skills related to the industries that appeal to you. As a current WashU student, you have free access to LinkedIn Learning, which provides thousands of videos covering business, creative and tech topics. For example, you can get advanced training in Excel, learn Google Analytics, or find out how to write a press release.
Passion Projects
Do you write a blog? Build websites? Design clothing? Make a podcast? Write music? These are things that make you uniquely you. Employers won’t overlook the value that comes from building something from scratch, maintaining something over time, or working creatively and resourcefully.