EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, clinicals, student teaching, and practicum experiences, play a critical role in enhancing students’ career readiness. These experiences help students build professional aptitude while strengthening key personal and workplace skills. Career Services actively promotes and supports student engagement in experiential learning as a vital component of career development.
Redbird Career Treks
Through immersive career exploration trips, Career Services brings students directly to the headquarters of leading organizations. During these visits, students tour professional work environments, gain insights into organizational cultures, learn about diverse career pathways, and engage with industry representatives.
These experiences directly support career readiness by helping students connect classroom learning to careers, build professional networks, and develop a clearer understanding of employer expectations. By fostering career awareness, confidence and informed decision-making, the program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully transition from college to career.
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“I knew GROWMARK provides agricultural resources and products, so I didn't really expect them to have such a wide variety of career opportunities for me. But they had IT, and human resources, which is my field. I learned that they had about 50 employees in their HR department, which is crazy. It was really exciting to see that they had more than just agricultural focused job opportunities.”
—Amelia Rodriguez, junior
“Some of the employees asked me what my passion is and what I wanted to do. I told them about my data studies and found out they're building a big data center and that they're very focused on data and stuff. They told me they needed me here!”
—Abdullah Muhammed, graduate student
“I learned how family oriented the organization is. I asked a question of a panelist about how they knew that they made the right choice of where to work. He said he liked that he gets to see his kids and that they give plenty of family time. That was my favorite thing to hear.” —Mia Millet, graduate student
For more information about the Redbird Career Treks, contact Tamanna Tasmin.
Internships
Internships play a significant role in preparing Redbirds for career success by connecting classroom learning with career experiences. Through hands-on experiences, students develop industry-specific knowledge, strengthen critical thinking and communication skills, and gain a clearer understanding of professional expectations. These opportunities also expand students’ professional networks, often leading to mentorship, references, and full-time employment pathways.
National data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) consistently shows that internship experience is one of the most influential factors in hiring decisions, underscoring its direct impact on post-graduation outcomes. By engaging in internships, students graduate with the confidence, competencies and connections needed to transition seamlessly into the workforce.
WGLT Intern Saskia Molina Gamez receives the Commitment to Career Excellence Intern of the Year Award.
Professor RJ Rowley (Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment) receives the Commitment to Career Excellence Internship Coordinator of the Year Award.
Internship Grants
Redbird Launch Internship Grant
The Redbird Launch Internship Grant addresses the financial barriers that can limit student participation in unpaid internships, ensuring greater access to high-impact experiential learning opportunities. Through an interdivisional partnership between the Office of the Provost and Career Services, the University has invested $875,000 since Spring 2024 to support students completing credit-bearing internships during the fall, spring, and summer terms. Eligible students may receive up to $200 per week, with a maximum award of $3,200 per semester, helping them pursue career-aligned experiences without the burden of lost income. To date, nearly 300 students have benefited from the program, gaining valuable professional experience, developing marketable skills, and exploring career pathways aligned with their academic goals. By expanding equitable access to experiential learning, the Redbird Launch Internship Grant advances Illinois State University's commitment to student success, career readiness, and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to participate in transformative learning experiences regardless of financial circumstances.
Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program Grant
For over a decade, Career Services has advanced student career readiness through stewardship of the Illinois Cooperative Work Study (ICWS) Grant, a competitive state-funded program administered by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The grant strengthens partnerships between the University and employers by providing wage reimbursement support for qualifying internship positions, enabling organizations to offer meaningful, paid experiential learning opportunities to Redbird students. Through Career Services' administration of the program, students gain valuable hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and build connections within their industries, while employers gain access to emerging talent. By expanding access to career-related work experiences and fostering public-private partnerships, the ICWS program supports student success, workforce development, and the retention of talented graduates in Illinois.