Gain Knowledge From Experiential Learning

1. Gain Knowledge From Experiential Learning Career Development Center Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

2. Overview: • Types of Experiential Learning • Benefits of Experiential Learning • Overview of Co-op, Summer, Volunteer, URP & Study Abroad • CDC Resources • Uncovering leads • Where to begin

3. Types of Experiential Learning • Cooperative Education • Summer Internship • Volunteer Work • Undergraduate Research Program (URP) • Other (Study Abroad, part-time Work)

4. Benefits of Experiential Learning • Get a glimpse into various organizations and work environments • Insights into specific career fields or interests • Build your network! • In some cases, live somewhere new • However you choose to look at it, it generates personal growth!

5. Co-op Program at Rensselaer • Students eligible after first year at RPI • Undergraduates: Work 2 terms (semester & summer) • Graduates: Work any 1 term (summer or semester) • Co-op must be paid • Work must relate to major • Students typically go out during junior year • Register for Co-op through the CDC • Assigned a CDC Counselor

6. Summer Internships • Who’s eligible? All students! • Summer term only • Can be paid/unpaid • Part-time or Full-time • Not always relevant to major • CDC does not have a formal registration process

7. Volunteer • Build resume by helping a cause you believe in • Learn new skills • Meet new people who may become part of your professional network • Learn about a new field or interest • Whatever the reason, you can feel good about what you are doing • Example Volunteer Groups: Circle K, Habitat for Humanity

8. Undergraduate Research Program (URP) • Who’s eligible? All students from all schools! • Semester and Summer opportunities • Determine a faculty member with whom you would like to do research with • Listen for announcements in class or make an appointment to speak with a professor about their research • Try to do some research on the research you are interested in before speaking with faculty • Visit the Office of Undergraduate Education for more information: http://undergrad.rpi.edu/setup.do

9. Study Abroad • Rensselaer offers a number of international exchange opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, South Africa, India etc. • Programs are intended primarily for the junior year • Generally, students need to have achieved and maintained a QPA of 3.0 or better in order to be seriously considered for an exchange or study abroad program. • Visit the Office of Undergraduate Education for more information: http://undergrad.rpi.edu/setup.do

10. Co-op/Summer Listings/Leads • CDC RedHawk-JobLink-annual activation required-view OCR and Open jobs • Employer Information Sessions-view a listing on RedHawk-JobLink each semester • Fall Career Fair(10/3/08-10/4/08) & Spring Career Fair (1/27/09) • Chamber of Commerce websites (Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce) http://acchamber.org/home.aspx • Hidden Job Market (networking, association contacts) • See CDC website for additional job search sites

11. Find Volunteer Experience • Attend Activities Fair each fall semester (8/28/08) • Rensselaer Union Groups • Volunteermatch.org

12. Where should you begin? • Meet with your Academic Advisor or Mentor & discuss the best time for you to gain experience • If looking for Co-op/Summer work, you must get resume critiqued and stop in the CDC! • Read Co-op Work Reports in CDC Café • Research employers/volunteer organizations • Still unsure? Make an appointment to see a Counselor • If you are interested in a URP or Study Abroad, you must contact the Office of Undergraduate Education.

13. It starts at the CDC! Visit the CDC website to learn more: www.cdc.rpi.edu