(This is the third part of a three-part series that looks at leveraging LinkedIn, the importance of networking, and the high value of experiential learning for student veterans.)

Military students can gain hands-on experience in their desired fields through internships, volunteer work, or experiential learning programs. These opportunities provide valuable skills, industry exposure, and networking possibilities. 

As military-connected students, there's a good chance you are already familiar with the experiential learning model as a critical component of your military training. Experiences, lessons learned, networking, selfless service, teamwork, and education are already a core part of your professional development. By putting similar practices into place, you'll set yourself up for success in higher ed and beyond. 

A Better Way to Gain Experience and Career Insights

Experiential learning engages learners in posing questions, investigation, curiosity, problem-solving, creativity, creating meaning, and assuming responsibility. In a broader context, experiential learning allows students to go beyond the traditional classroom environment to explore career opportunities, demonstrate their skills, and build relationships. 

Taking advantage of these benefits while concurrently pursuing a degree or certificate program can have incredible outcomes for students. Providing added layers of training and expertise allows for more significant networking connections for the following professional steps ahead. 

Types of Experiential Learning

There are myriad ways to go about gaining experience via learning opportunities. Some degree programs have these experiences incorporated into their curriculum. For example, teachers usually complete student teaching practicums, or some science or anthropology courses may require fieldwork. 

Additionally, fellowships, apprenticeship programs, undergraduate research, and study abroad programs exist to foster a deeper understanding of concepts, ideas, and day-to-day examples within a particular field. To go even deeper into your subject area, consider a co-op. These are usually multi-term projects with increased tasks and responsibilities and a commitment to one organization.

Internships and Micro-Internships

Internships continue to rise in popularity among college experiential learning opportunities and industry professionals looking to hire students post-graduation. These offer meaningful and practical work related to a student's field of study or career interest. Most last anywhere from three to four months (the average duration of a college term) and may be paid or unpaid. 

Micro-internships are similar in scope but on an accelerated timeline. Companies like Parker Dewey offer mutually beneficial internships in finance and accounting, sales and business development, human resources, research and strategy, marketing and creative, operations and support, and cyber and IT. These micro-internships are short-term, paid, professional projects that allow students to test out different industries without having prior experience. 

Get Creative: Volunteer

Not all experiential learning has to be a formal endeavor. There are many other ways to immerse yourself in valuable learning. Help tackle complex societal issues through service learning. Volunteer your skills within an existing organization for which you feel passionate. 

No matter the setting, academic or otherwise, be a student seeking to learn new skills. Be a reflective learner. Collaborate. Glean insights into each experience you undertake. Volunteering will undoubtedly enhance your personal life, but it will also have the double benefit of improving your resume.