Experiential learning opportunities are an integral way for students to gain insight into the world of work, explore vocation, and participate in servant leadership. A student can explore everything from Accounting to Zoology. In Career Services we view experiential learning as having three main components:
- Preparation – including finding a site, interviewing, identifying a supervisor, setting goals for the experience and learning how to make the most of their experience
- Experience – including working with a supervisor and co-workers to not only develop job skills but to learn about vocational choices and journaling as a part of active reflection
- Reflection – including making sense of the student’s experience and what it means for their future vocational choices; implementation of this reflection between our different programs
Ultimately, these “co-curricular” experiences will enhance not only our students’ vocational or job choices, but also their academic choices when it comes to decisions related to majors/minors or graduate/professional school.
Through Career Services, students may receive assistance in developing these off-campus experiences through the Career Study Off-Campus program, the Vocational Internship Program, and the GO (Global Outreach) Fellowship. Additionally, the service provides guidance on finding additional internship opportunities in a variety of fields through other Austin College sponsored programs or any one of numerous non-college related experiences.
Please visit the links to the left for specific information for CSOC, GO, and VIP program information.
