This workshop will focus on how field experience and service learning courses reinforce student success and engagement in the workplace. Traditionally called internships, the Field Expereince and Service Learning course studied also prepare students for the world of work and future career opportunities including professional networks, skills and experience. Participants will learn best practices in organization, preparation, execution and effective data collection of these unique and worthy learning opportunities.
Requiring students to complete a service learning/internship in a two-year college setting can enhance not only students’ job preparedness, but it can lead to a lifetime of opportunities in the workplace. Even though the average age of students is at the institution studied is 27, many do not have the professional work experience needed to continue onto the next steps in the business environment. The Field Experience and Service Learning course, not only encourages students to step out of their comfort zone and try something new, but it allows them to walk away with first-hand understanding of office cultures, different industries and work personalities.
This presentation will focus on the variety of business partners (over 150 and counting) utilized in both the profit and non-profit sectors, as well as hi-light some of the student success stories we are most proud of. Student testimonials and employer feedback and evaluations will be shared so that the audience can understand the value in getting students engaged with their local communities, as well as how to reignite the spark of learning by connecting students with the world of work, not to mention the value these courses offer in terms of program assessment and evaluation.