Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is learning through the reflection of doing. The real-world experience provides insight into career paths and job opportunities. Gain an edge by taking advantage of hands-on learning experience through job assignments related to your field. Not only is a job assignment vital to a student’s marketability, but it allows you to use what is learned in the classroom.

Cooperative Education (Co-op)

• Schedule an appointment with a Career Coach through Handshake to get prepared, including having a finalized resume and discussing interview strategies.
• After working with a Career Coach, upload your approved final resume to Handshake
• Work with the Career Placement team to identify employers that may be a good fit for you, and submit applications to employers of interest. 
• Get hired for a Co-Op and share your Co-Op information with the Career Center to begin the registration process. 
• Complete and sign a "Cooperative Education Agreement" form.

Internships

• An Internship is an experience referring to a partnership between students, institutions of higher education and employers that integrates academic study with work experience. Internships are of a specific and definite duration that also provides a student the opportunity to explore areas of interest. Internships are currently non-credit courses.
• To inquire regarding paid or unpaid internship opportunities, including Tri-C's Internship Program and Summer Internship Program, meet with a Career Coach in the Career Center to begin the process. The Career Coach will help you get ready for your internship applications, and the Career Placement Specialist will help you identify employers that have internship opportunities for you to submit your application to. Schedule an appointment with a Career Coach through Handshake!

Job Shadowing

Job Shadowing is an educational activity in which students spend time learning about a specific job or industry. They interact with professionals on the job while observing actual operations and procedures and gain an understanding of the company’s culture. The primary focus is to explore potential career interests.

• Conduct an informational meeting to discuss career paths, educational credentials, and experience, industry needs and trends, the culture of the organization, training and professional organizations
• Observe general office tasks
• Attend staff or committee meetings or presentations
• Take a tour of the workplace
• Observe client interactions experience employee demonstrations of industry-specific software or tools
• Review the department’s website, mission, marketing collateral, organizational charts