»  What is experiential education?
»  Why is experiential education important?
»  My academic program requires an internship that I must arrange in advance.  How do I do that?
»  What if my degree program does not require an internship?
»  How much time do I need to commit to this experience on a weekly basis?
»  Will I be paid for my experiential education?
»  How do I prepare for an experiential learning search?
»  How can the Career Services staff help me with this process?
»  As an international student, am I eligible for an internship or any other type of experiential
    education?


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What is experiential education?

Experiential education or "learning by doing" is an experiential academic experience in which a student intentionally learns about a career field through an internship, volunteer work, a full-time job, a part-time job, or summer employment. Experiential education can be paid or unpaid and the student may or may not earn academic credit for the experience.

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Why is experiential education important?

No matter what form it is in, experiential education can enhance your education and make you more marketable. During this experience, you will have the opportunity to apply what you are learning in the classroom and be able to further develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are needed for a successful job search. Job candidates with experience are more highly sought after by prospective employers.

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My academic program requires an internship that I must arrange in advance. How do I do that?

If your academic program requires an internship, you will be required to register for an internship as a separate class, pay for the credit hours, and often find an internship on your own that meets the expectations of your department. No later than your second year at Avila , become aware of what the requirements are and begin exploring your options. Career Services can provide you with information about where other students have obtained internships and help you prepare for the application and interviewing process.

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What if my degree program does not require an internship?

You should still seek ways to enhance your knowledge and marketability through some form of experiential education. It may be an internship, or as noted above, some other form of experience such as full or part-time employment, summer employment, or volunteer work in your field of interest.

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How much time do I need to commit to this experience on a weekly basis?

There's no finite answer to this question unless you are registered for an internship for credit. Generally, an internship for course credit requires that the student work a minimum of 50 hours per credit hour. For instance, if you are registered for a 3-credit hour internship, you must work a minimum of 150 hours throughout the semester. That is 10 hours per week for a 15 week semester.

If you are hired for a paid internship, you will need to negotiate the hours with your employer. Many will ask for a set number of hours per week, others have the flexibility to let you schedule and work the number of hours that is realistic for you.

Volunteer experiences are unpaid and most available at not-for-profit organizations that depend upon generous donations of time and talent. In many not-for-profit organizations, you will participate in one or more training sessions. These sessions will provide you with the information you need about your role and the expectations the organization has of you (punctuality, reliability, accurate documentation, follow-through, confidentiality, etc.). Not-for-profit organizations are often more able to allow a flexible schedule for students.

Summer experiences are good alternatives for students taking heavy class loads during the spring and fall semesters and/or with large time commitments to athletics, theater, or other activities.

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Will I be paid for my experiential education?

Some internships are paid and some are not. If you need a paid experience, ask the organization in advance whether or not the opportunity will be paid. You could save yourself and the organization a lot of time if it does not meet your requirements.

In some fields, as within some organizations, you have to “pay your dues” by completing non-paid internships or related experiences before you can move forward. If that is the case in your field, it helps to come to terms with that early on and be prepared to invest the time in your future. Whether you benefit through pay or not, include the experience you gain on your résumé and share this information in an interview. It can be an important factor in whether or not you get serious consideration when applying for full-time career-related positions.

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How do I prepare for an experiential learning search?

There are many things you can do to prepare for an experiential learning search. The following are just some of them.

• Find out whether or not your degree program requires a particular type of experience.
• Know yourself. Assess the skills and attributes you possess that would make you an asset to an organization.
• Develop a résumé that promotes you effectively.
• Be familiar with “cover letters” and practice writing some.
• Determine the kinds of experiences from which you might gain the most.
• Learn how to “network” effectively to expand your contacts and options.
• Talk with faculty in your department about how previous students have gained experience. Get contact information if available.
• Talk to fellow students who may already be gaining experience. They may be willing to share contacts and advice.
• If you have a particular industry of interest, find Chamber of Commerce directories or use the Internet to search for local organizations in that industry. Do they have a local professional association? Do they offer student memberships? If so, invest in your future so you can attend some of their meetings, luncheons, and networking sessions. Make yourself known as a strong candidate enrolled at Avila and seeking experience that will enhance your education and preparation for your field of choice.
• Read the business sections of the Kansas City Star – especially on Sundays and Tuesdays when there are special “pull-out” sections.
• Register with Avila's Career Services on-line job search system. Upload your résumé to the site so that potential employers will know you are looking for an opportunity and can easily contact you if they are interested in your qualifications.
• Make use of other on-line systems such as www.kchasjobs and www.careerexec.com

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How can the Career Services staff help me with this process?

• Not sure what opportunities to look for or which ones might be a good match? Take the on-line Do What You Are ™ career assessment to gain more insight into yourself and your career satisfiers. Meet with a career counselor or counseling intern to discuss your results. Look for a good fit between you and your needs and organizations with openings.
• Watch for flyers and e-mail announcements about local career and internship fairs. Attend them and network with employers to learn about opportunities. Promote yourself to those that are the best match for you.
• Request the Information sheet called “The Thirty-Second Commercial.” Brainstorm your skills and attributes to help you gain confidence in approaching potential employers. Learn how to weave them into an introduction that you can use at a career fair, a networking event, or a simple phone call inquiring about opportunities.
• Call Career Services at 816.501.2901 to set up an appointment to discuss your internship search or to get help with your résumés and cover letters.
• Practice interviews are held each semester. Sign up to experience a practice interview and gain feedback from an interviewer. Practice Interviews can also be done anytime throughout the year. Contact Career Services at 816.501.2901 to schedule an appointment.
• Stop by Hodes 708, introduce yourself, the type of contacts you need, and request a database of contacts/leads that have shown interest in Avila student and graduates in the past. Visit their web sites to learn about their organizations. Also, look for potential job postings on their web sites and contact those in which you have interest.

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As an international student, am I eligible for an internship or any other type of experiential education?

Volunteering in your field of choice should not be an issue if your English communication skills are strong. Make sure you are well-informed about your visa status before trying to arrange any other type of placement. In cases where your degree program requires practical experience, it should be easier to arrange experience, but you should check carefully as to whether or not you are eligible to be paid.

If you are interested in contacting Kansas City area companies who do business overseas, particularly in your “home country,” please make an appointment with a Career Services staff member who will try to provide you with a list of those specific firms.

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