“We all know how to sit in classes and take notes and exams, but do you know how to apply the information you’re learning?”
This is the question junior Mechanical Engineering student, Gabi Margarida, posed when I asked him to describe the concept “experiential learning.”
It sounds like a lofty term, but experiential learning is really just “learning by doing.” As a junior or senior, it’s possible you can already identify different forms of this type of learning. It includes activities like:
•Service Learning
•Internships
•Research and Assistantships
•Co-Ops
•Study Abroad
Gabi’s introduction to experiential learning took place in an INDS 430 course his sophomore year. The topic that semester was the Kinetic Sculpture Project, which brought students together to build and race a bicycle powered sculpture.
“This class was an amazing experience. I was there with Computer Science students and students from Arts and Humanities. It made me think critically in order to solve problems. You start to see solutions in the things you are experiencing.”
According to the Career Center’s 2014-2015 First Destination Report, which surveys the most recent graduating class, 81% of respondents engaged in experiential learning during their time at UMBC.
This statistic is incredibly telling of the value experiential learning has on your time at UMBC.
As you start to think about your plans after graduation, whether a career or graduate school, experiential learning is a great way to test out different interests in a real-life setting. This allows you to test the reality of a field you’re interested in against your expectations.
Having tangible experience in your intended field of study will not only make you more marketable as a job applicant or graduate school candidate, but is likely to help you gain confidence when you start your first job. For example, Gabi’s experience in INDS 430 prepared him for his future engineering career.
“In my INDS 430 class, I was able to get a great sense for how teams operate and how group dynamics can shape a project timeline. It also helped me see other people’s methods to approaching problems and that helped in my approach to my own problems.”
In his time at UMBC, Gabi has engaged in a variety of experiential learning activities, including an internship at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and heading up design for the UMBC Community Garden.
“There is such a spectrum of things you can get involved in. If you know what you’re passionate about, seek it out. People are doing things all over this campus. Just talk to people and take advantage of your time here.”
It’s true. The campus is abuzz with students, faculty, staff, working on projects and initiatives. If you haven’t yet found a way to add experiential learning to your college experience, there is still time!
If you’re concerned about other priorities or commitments getting in the way of taking part in experiential learning, we strongly encourage you to meet with your academic advisor to see what your options might be.
Check out these upcoming events and offices to learn more:
For Study Abroad, visit the Study Abroad Office
Study Abroad 101 Sessions are held each week in 218 Administration Building:
Mondays: 12-4pm
Thursdays: 3-4pm
For research opportunities, visit the website here
For internships and co-ops, visit The Career Center
Math/Psychology Building, Room 212
(41) 455-2216
EVENT: 2015 Fall Career & Internship Fair
For service-learning, visit The Shriver Center
Public Policy, 1st Floor
(410) 455-2493
POLL QUESTION:
Have you already participated in a form of experiential learning?
