Experiential Learning
Career Services emphasizes, assists, and encourages students to seek experiential learning opportunities to enhance their career readiness. By developing their professional aptitude and strengthening their character, these experiences help students gain access to greater opportunities and employment. Internships, clinicals, practicum experiences, etc., allow students to build their industry knowledge, experience, and professional network.
Career Services contributes to student success by coordinating the Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program grant and participating in the University’s Birds Give Back campaign to support students in unpaid internships. Students also have an opportunity to connect with employers specifically for the purpose of securing internships using Hire-A-Redbird, an online job- and internship-posting system, and attending the fall and spring internship fairs.
Experiential Learning Showcase
Near the end of the spring semester, Career Services hosted its first Experiential Learning Showcase. Similar to a research symposium, the event featured 26 students presented what they learned during their internships and experiential learning experiences.
“I believe that internships are invaluable opportunities for growth and development. I’ve been offered an internship as a claims analyst intern. It’s incredible to see my academic studies aligning so closely with real-world opportunities. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me along the way, from my professors and classmates to the Career Services team at Illinois State University. Your guidance and encouragement have played a crucial role in helping me reach this point.” —Brian Mwela, graduate student
“I’ve been both on-air in an entry-level role and in leadership as the program director and general manager at WZND. I’ve learned to apply management and leadership skills, as well as valuable universal workplace skills, like time-management, public-speaking, and presenting skills.” —Fletcher Peterson ’24