Simply put, one of the “secrets” to securing more positive outcomes after graduation is gaining experience before graduation. Experiential learning is actually quite a simple concept which savvy UMBC students benefit from even as early as their freshman year. The main point of experiential learning is to apply what you have learned in the classroom in “real world” settings. Simple enough - right?
Sometimes students wait until their junior and senior years to pursue more formal versions of experiential learning (via internships and co-op), but in actuality, forward-thinking students can begin applying what they know and can do in practical ways much, much earlier.
Here is an example and some ideas:
Let’s say you are a freshman English major and love to write. Someday you hope to write for a living but are not exactly sure how and in what specific career field.
Starting TODAY – you could:
• Contact fellow students at The Retriever Weekly – UMBC’s student newspaper--and ask about becoming a reporter and writing articles and getting published. With actual writing examples in your start-up portfolio and your resume reflecting “writing for real audiences” in your freshman year – you would be off to a good start!
• Create and contribute original writing though a submission to Bartleby – UMBC’s Creative Arts Journal. Perhaps along with making a submission, you might also check out some of the staff positions available for students with interests in writing and the arts. Once again, experience writing, editing and publishing is right here on campus – within reach and available for students with initiative (like you).
• Consider becoming a blogger for the UMBC “USDemocrazy” blog that produces pithy and witty commentary on public affairs for the high school set. That is not only experiential learning, but one of the most fun jobs on campus.
• Practice writing for the web by signing up to be the Webmaster for a major campus organization or find a campus job that includes website writing.
• Serve in one of a dozen school-and community-based settings where you can strengthen the writing and reading skills of a young person while deepening your understanding of educational achievement gaps and your own sense of self through a variety of written reflective activities (e.g., journaling, goal and expectation-setting). For more details, visit the Shriver Center website.
Finding ways to apply “classroom knowledge” in real world ways, UMBC students develop characteristics and skills which future employers and graduate schools absolutely love! Here are just a few:
• You’ve proven you can take initiative.
• You’ve proven you can successfully apply for positions and get hired to do things.
• You’ve worked with others to help an organization serve its customers or constituents.
• You’ve established working relationships with colleagues and supervisors.
• You’ve now produced examples of work, skills and outcomes that can be presented with pride on resumes, cover letters, applications and referenced in interviews. (Congratulations!)
Getting involved and taking action within the experiential learning arena helps students to build career momentum and provides you with immediate feedback on your short and long term career goals and objectives. Part-time jobs, volunteering, job-shadowing, and other creative ways to explore majors and careers “experientially” are also recommended and can be discussed further with your academic advisor or a career counselor in the Career Services Center.
Aristotle once said: “The things we have to learn before we do them, we learn by doing them.” Following his lead, we suggest you get started today!
EXTRA-CREDIT BONUS QUESTION:
Is the following statement True or False?
Experiential learning opportunities are only for juniors and seniors at UMBC.
NOTE: Yes, you can still come to 102 Academic Services, answer the question, and acquire a UMBC t-shirt with modern True Grit logo, plus enter our drawing for an iPod Touch!
