What is Experiential Education?

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Looking Beyond The 9 to 5!

Benefits of Experiential Education

The skills, knowledge, and maturity gained through exposure to a real work setting amplifies the knowledge you are acquiring in the classroom.  If you have spent a semester, summer, or winter vacation seriously exploring career options, you will be at an advantage as you begin your post-college job search or graduate school application.  Experience outside of the classroom not only makes you more attractive to prospective employers and graduate schools; it can assist you in confirming your choice of major and finding a meaningful career path.

Types of Experiential Education:

* internships and co-ops
* practicum work
* lab research
* job shadowing
* volunteer work
* part-time and summer jobs
* informational interviews
* externships  

What is the difference between a Co-Op and an Internship?

Cooperative Education (Co-Op) is typically a full-time, paid experience in which you work for an organization for a semester or longer, rather than taking classes for that period of time.

An Internship is typically one semester (fall/spring/summer) in duration, but can last an entire academic year.  It is usually part-time (15-20 hours a week) while you are also enrolled in classes.

The work and experience provided by both co-ops and internships should relate directly to your major, field of study, or prospective career.

Can I earn academic credit for my internship?

The authority to grant academic credit rests within each individual academic department.    While Career Services is here to assist you with your internship search, resume and interview preparation, we are not involved in the awarding of academic credit.  If you are interested in earning academic credit through internship or co-op work, Career Services recommends that you meet with your academic advisor or department chair in order to gain a clear understanding of all criteria and deadlines before applying to any internship or co-op program. 

Most academic departments at SLU require that a student be of junior status or higher (minimum of 60 credit hours completed) in order to apply to earn academic credit for internship work.  For those students who are interested in pursuing an internship, but fall short of having completed 60 credit hours, non-credit internship work is encouraged (see "Can I Participate in a Non-Credit Internship?" section below)

Should your department agree to award you academic credit, you will typically register for an Internship, Field Study, or similar course through your academic advisor and be required to submit work integrating your internship work with what you have learned in the classroom (i.e. journal, report, weekly updates to faculty advisor).  Again, individual department requirements do vary, so check with your academic advisor or department chair to learn more.

Can I participate in a non-credit internship?

Yes!  While obtaining academic credit for your internship work is obviously of value, the experience of work outside of the classroom is a benefit in and of itself.  Many students find that a non-credit internship assists them in confirming their choice of major, gaining confidence in the work place, and meeting professionals within their career field.  In addition, when employers see internship experience on your resume they have more confidence in your collaborative, interpersonal, and practical skills.

Non-credit internships work well for those students who's schedule cannot accommodate a structured for-credit internship.  Many students participate in non-credit internship work prior to their junior year (when all departments are willing to award academic credit).  

FORMAL FOR-CREDIT INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS AT SLU

Below are links to those colleges, schools, and departments which have established formal internship programs.  All require that you meet with their designated Internship Coordinator in order to receive academic credit for your internship work.  Some may also require that additional preparation take place prior to your applying for an internship (resume review, mock interview, signing of learning agreement, etc.)

If your college, school, or department is not listed below, or if you are uncertain who to contact regarding the awarding of internship/co-op credit within your major, contact Career Services at (314) 977-2829 or careers@slu.edu for assistance.

Department of Biology
John Cook School of Business
Department of Communication
Department of English
Department of History
Department of International Studies
Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice
Department of Theological Studies
Doisy College of Health Sciences
Parks College of Engineering, Aviation, and Technology
Preprofessional Health Studies (COVE Internship)
School of Social Work (BS program & MSW program)

 FINDING AN INTERNSHIP

Once you are familiar with the internship criteria set by your school or degree program, there are several ways to begin the search process.  The best place to start is with the Internship Coordinator in Career Services or with the faculty contact designated within your particular school (see above links).  The Internship Coordinator in Career Services serves as the overall contact for students in the College of Arts & Sciences and can help students connect with faculty in their academic programs who can assist them further.  To schedule an appointment, contact Career Services at careers@slu.edu or call (314) 977-2828.

Internship and special project opportunities are received by Career Services on a daily basis and are posted to our online job database, CareerLink .  Over 3,500 employers, both non-profit and commercial are profiled in the system.  If you are a current student at SLU, you are already enrolled in the system and have access.

To log into CareerLink and view internship opportunities, click here.

OTHER AVENUES TO FINDING AN INTERNSHIP

In addition to the using the CareerLink database, consider attending one of the following networking events, hosted by Career Services throughout the academic year, to connect with prospective internship and practicum sites.  (For dates, times, and locations of events, visit our online event calendar in CareerLink.)

Healthcare Networking Picnic
Held on the grounds of the Health Sciences Center each fall, this outdoor fair connects students with healthcare employers.

Fall & Spring Career Fairs
Over 130 employers attend our career fairs, held in both the fall & spring semesters.  Many organizations come seeking interns!  Admission is free for SLU students; registration is not required.

Information Tables & Information Sessions
Individual organizations present their opportunities and company culture throughout the academic year through information tables and information sessions typically held in the Busch Student Center.  Past visitors have included:  CIA, Peace Corps, Federal Reserve Bank, National MS Society, Scottrade, ALIVE Magazine, Cisco Systems, Macy's and others.
 
On-Campus Recruiting
Over 60 employers conducted interviews on campus this past academic year.  Internship candidates are selected from among those students who apply through CareerLink, so be sure to update your profile and apply for those positions which interest you!