Alumni & Student Connections’ career services team is here to help students search and apply for internships as well as other experiential learning opportunities.
What is experiential learning?
Experiential learning encompasses a wide range of activities that all help students deepen their learning through hand-on exposure and to gain skills that prepare them to enter their chosen fields after PLU. Rather than just observing, students actively apply classroom theory to real-world professional settings, subsequently reflecting on those experiences to build critical skills and guide their career.
Explore the many different forms of experiential learning:
Click each category to learn more!
An internship is a short-term work experience designed specifically for students to get hands-on, real-world experience in a field or industry they’re interested in, while working under the supervision of a mentor. They are typically a semester in duration (fall, spring, or summer), can be paid or unpaid, and may or may not carry academic credit.
Picture this: you spend a semester or summer break working with professionals in your desired filed, applying what you’ve learned in the classroom to actual projects and tasks!
Micro-internships are short-term, professional assignments that are project-based. While shorter than internships, they still offer training and supervision, and provide opportunities for skill development and acquiring knowledge.
To start exploring and applying to micro-internships, check out PLU’s site for micro-internship opportunities, Parker Dewey.
Cooperative education typically refers to alternating classroom learning and paid work experiences in a field directly related to the student’s academic or career goals. In many cases, the co-op is a full-time work experience that requires the student to not enroll in additional courses during the term. Co-ops may be eligible for academic credit.
Volunteers perform a service without pay to support a cause. Opportunities include one-time assistance or continual service. Students can gain skills and knowledge, and experience workplaces through service.
Job shadowing provides an initial “day in the life” exposure to a career, industry, and organization through the experience of “shadowing” an experienced employee. Activities may include a tour of the workplace, observing employee activities, meeting with members of the organization, involvement in projects, or attending meetings. This is a great opportunity to build connections and better understand the work environment.
To explore job shadow opportunities, start with LuteLink. Explore the community and use the “Help Topics” filter to search for PLU alumni who may be interested in hosting a job shadow.
Simulations or hackathons are short-term, often independent exercises for you to experience what it is like to do certain roles or tasks. These opportunities can helpful in the discernment process to figure if a certain role or industry is right for you.
To start exploring simulations now, check out the free tool Forage.
Internship Funding and Scholarships:
Each year Alumni & Student Connections solicits applications from qualified PLU students who need assistance paying for internship-related expenses. To learn more about the PLU Internship Fund and find out if you’re eligible, follow this link.
Register for Credit:
Your internship may be eligible to receive academic credit.
For more information, contact us at intern@plu.edu and review the steps to register for credit.
Additional Questions?
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.