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Research Report

Reimagining Experiential Learning

Competition for employment among recent graduates is fiercer than ever and expectations for new hires are high. This study explores opportunities for student affairs departments to help students develop workforce skills outside the classroom.

Competition for employment among recent graduates is fiercer than ever and expectations for new hires are high. Students must be able to articulate the value of their college experience, as well as the skills and competencies they’ve gained, to differentiate themselves in the job search.

As experiential learning is increasingly becoming an institutional priority, schools are considering different ways to adopt campus-wide initiatives, varying from documentation tools to experiential learning requirements.Campus employment holds tremendous potential as a personal and professional development experience. To maximize its value, incorporate formal learning outcomes, leverage supervisor support, and connect students with career preparation resources.

Additionally, reframing co-curricular involvement as a range of opportunities for skill development allows student affairs divisions to reach a broader population of students and help them make more intentional choices for their involvement.

Student leaders are a natural place to start in providing experiential learning support. It is in recognizing, reflecting upon, and articulating the skills they have developed that they need additional guidance and support.

Tactic #1: High-Impact Program Add-Ons
Tactic #2: Co-curricular Capstone Experience
Tactic #3: Tailored Student Leader Development Tracks

Students are often oblivious to the potential benefits of on-campus employment. Many students don’t even mention their employment on their resumes, let alone recognize the specific skills and competencies they acquired through the experience.

Tactic #4: Self-Service Resume Builder Tool
Tactic #5: Front-Loaded Career Training
Tactic #6: Skill-Focused Job Descriptions
Tactic #7: Professional On-Campus Internships