Chapter 13. Careers and Work Experience
13.2 Work Experience
Experiential learning is “based on students being directly involved in a learning experience rather than being recipients of ready-made content in the form of lectures” (ContactPoint, 2014a). Experiential learning is:
- Action-oriented
- Learner-centred
- Geared toward process, rather than outcomes
In this way, knowledge is created as the learner moves through the experience.
Through your educational program, you may be able to participate in a variety of different learning experiences in tourism and hospitality. Students who participate in a learning experience outside of the classroom are more likely to enter the field with both academic and practical workplace skills and knowledge, and have more opportunities for career advancement.
Work Experience Examples
Let’s have a look at some of the common types of work learning experiences:
- Co-op education
- Internship
- Practicum
- Service learning
- Volunteering
Each of these is defined below.
Co-op Education
Co-operative, or co-op education refers to “a structured program that integrates work experience in a student’s field along with academic studies by alternating in-class learning with periods of actual work” (ContactPoint, 2014b, para. 1). The term reflects the co-operative relationship between students, schools, and employers.
Internship
An internship is a temporary on-the-job experience that is “typically offered to students or inexperienced workers” (ContactPoint, 2014c, para. 1). It is generally project-oriented, and supervised.
The intern should have specific learning goals against which he or she can apply experience about a particular industry or field of work. The term may be paid or unpaid, and may lead to permanent career opportunities with the organization (ContactPoint, 2014b).
Practicum
A practicum is “applied learning that provides students with practical experience and interaction with professionals from industry and the community outside of school” (ConnectEd, 2011, p.3). The goal is to support career readiness and help enhance:
- Higher-order thinking
- Academic skills
- Technical skills
- Applied workplace skills
The experience may be paid or unpaid.
Service Learning
Service learning is defined as a course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students:
- Participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs
- Reflect on the service activity to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility (Bringle & Hatcher, 1995)
Volunteering
Volunteering involves performing a service without pay in order to obtain work experience, learn new skills, meet people, contribute to community, and contribute to a cause that’s important to the volunteer (for example, helping animals, supporting elderly people, working for an environmental cause) (Pickerell, 2014).
Benefits of Work Experience Programs
Student