Eight ways experiential learning can maximize your degree
A growing number of students are including experiential learning as part of their student experience at UM. But what exactly is it, and what are the benefits?
Experiential learning (EL) is when you learn by doing. It means practical, interactive experiences in and outside the classroom. These experiences can happen anywhere: in class, at the workplace, on the land, or in a community setting.
The best part is: experiential learning benefits everyone, no matter the degree type or personal background. Here are the top eight ways UM students have maximized their degree with EL.
1. Engage in interactive work directly related to your field of study and future employment.
Jaspal Mudhar was studying for his bachelor of science in human nutrition and wanted experience in product development as he was pursuing the food industry option for his degree. His supervising professor secured a placement at Prairie Research Kitchen.
“It was both hands-on and research-based work,” explains Mudhar. “Depending on the scale of the project, you would spend time just researching or reading about that particular product or the processes related to it, conducting a literature review, reading significant articles, understanding the properties relating to that food. Then you do hands-on work, make those formulations, taste them, and see if something needs to change.”
“I was always interested in creating and developing new things,” he adds. “Based on past experiences doing repetitive work in restaurants, that is something I did not want to do. I had fun doing research and it validated that this is something I want to do for the long term.”
2. Diversify your courseload and coursework.
Despite not being a fine arts student or artist, Victoria Klippenstein enrolled in the Drawing Studio 2 (STDO 1250) course to support her Art History Honours degree.
“Taking an experiential learning class can have its challenges but it’s also a welcomed break from the reading, writing, researching, and typing that is heavy in so many other courses,” says Klippenstein. “Coming from a field outside of the fine arts, I was intimidated and nervous about how I would be critiqued and graded. But so far in my experience, most of these hands-on courses want you to explore and experiment – and even if things don’t go smoothly, it helps you learn something new.”
It also allowed her to gain an artistic perspective that will help her plans to possibly work in a museum or sales as an art historian.
3. Explore careers that hire graduates from your degree program.
During her bachelor of social work program, Renee Lang completed a field placement with UM Career Services. She co-facilitated workshops, participated in case management meetings and met with students one-on-one regarding career planning/information, job search, resume and cover letters.
“The skills I have developed include improving interpersonal communication skills, facilitation skills, assessment/case management skills (including analysis), professional writing skills, supporting students facing multiple barriers, praxis, triage, reflexivity,” she says. “These are all related to my learning contract goals, and goals to become a social worker! This experience is great for networking, as well as taking risks and trying something new!”
4. Find out if your program of study is the right fit for your goals.
Fiona Lebar, a master of environment student, wasn’t sure what area of the environmental sector she wanted to pursue. But after finishing a paid work study with UM’s Office of Sustainability, she knows what path she wants to take.
As a Sustainability Assistant, Lebar worked 20 hours a week supporting everything from presentations on zero-emission vehicle infrastructure to an interactive campus sustainability walking map.
“The work I have done with the office has showed me how sustainability can be integrated into like everything like education, energy and waste and things you might not think about such as equity, diversity, and inclusion which also has sustainability aspects,” she says. “It opened so many new doors I didn’t know about. Now I want to go into sustainability in my career.”
5. Discover learning styles and environments that compliment you.
Meghan Young applied for the role of program coordinator for Land and Water, an Indigenous land-based education program that brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, community members, knowledge holders, and Elders to participate in immersive urban land-based experiences.
“As a Metis student my family has lived on the lands for seven generations,” says Young. “Understanding my own relationships with the land here in the city has been meaningful and important. While there are practical skills like program planning, promotion, and computer skills that I’ve acquired, they don’t really compare to the importance of learning how to collaborate within Indigenous communities and support fellow Indigenous students who may be struggling to find connections, just as I was in my first year.”
6. Learn more about yourself and your career preferences.
When Tyler Big George applied to be a Peer Involvement Advisor (PIA) with the Student Experience and Development Office his goal was to help other students – but he soon learned something about his own career goals.
“A lot of psychology degrees lead to career mentoring or counselling. I wasn’t super interested in counselling at first, but I have found, through doing the appointments with students, that I really do enjoy doing one on one work with students,” he says. “I have learned a lot of communication skills – like active listening, and understanding what people are trying to say even when they don’t have the words to say it.”
7. Boost your resumé and build your employability.
Like many students, Patrick Macauley’s previous employment was in the service industry and he wanted to build experience more relatable to his future career as an educator. The bachelor
of arts student signed up for the Faculty of Arts Co-operative Education Program and was hired at the Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services (NEEDS) as a facilitator.
“I loved meeting people from around the world,” says Macauley. “It prepared me for difficult aspects of teaching like second language and classroom management. Keeping people focused. Energy levels in check. I would recommend it for arts students who don’t totally know what they want to do yet and want to experience work in a bunch of different fields.”
8. Gain new practical skills.
Sayed Abraham Ahmed, who is majoring in computer engineering with a minor in computer science, signed up for Introduction to Korean (ASIA 1750) to broaden his job prospects.
“In the Computer Science/Engineering field, there is a large Korean population regarding companies and startups. By learning Korean, I can apply for internships and hopefully future jobs with said companies located in but not limited to Canada, USA, and South Korea,” says Abraham Ahmed.
A bonus – the course also helped him make new connections. “My favourite part was conversing with fellow students and practicing,” he says. “I was able to make a lot of friends during this time in the lab!”
Where can you find experiential learning opportunities?
The university offers many resources that can help you find the experiences that are right for you!
Explore the Experience Catalogue and browse hundreds of EL opportunities at UM, from courses and programs to clubs and societies.
Meet with a Peer Involvement Advisor to find out more about experiences open to you, learn how to navigate resources such as UMConnect, the UMSU student club webpage, the Experience, Catalogue, and have conversations about what you’re looking for in an opportunity.
Browse the Career Services site for more information and resources on planning your career and future.
Talk to a Career Consultant one-on-one for career planning and finding EL opportunities that align with your goals for the future.
To learn more about experiential learning and how it could impact your degree, visit the Experiential Learning Opportunities for Students page.