10.2: Gaining Experience Inside and Outside the Classroom

An important part of your educational experience at HACC is to gain as much experience as you can, both inside the classroom as well as outside the classroom. You will gain valuable knowledge in the classroom through your required coursework. Gaining "hands-on" experience outside the classroom in the career field you are pursuing also is necessary to ensure you’re on the best path for your values, preferences and strengths. This hands-on experience can be done through work experience, community-based learning, volunteer work and/or internships.

If you have worked, whether part-time or full time, you have gained valuable work experience that contributes to building your resume and proving to employers you have transferable skills (refer to the Strengths chapter of this text). Most employers want to see some work experience in your background for evidence of these transferable skills. If you are planning to work while attending college, consider trying to get a job related to your career interest. Oftentimes taking an introductory course in college can help you get your foot in the door for an entry-level position. Connect with HACC’s Career Services for assistance with searching for a part-time or full-time job.

Some college courses at HACC integrate experiences, such as service-learning, observations, field work, and clinicals. If these experiences are extensive and provide you with transferable skills, list these experiences on your resume. You also can discuss these experiences in job interviews to show employers your skills.

Volunteer work is another great way for you to gain experience and network. Take a minute and view the following YouTube video titled "Volunteering May Help You Find Your Next Job." Video Volunteering May Help You Find Your Next Job [youtu.be]

The Value of Internships

Another way to gain valuable experience outside the classroom is through internships. Internships are short-term opportunities that allow students to gain valuable work experience in a particular career. In this course, you are asked to research different career possibilities using online research sources and informational interviews. Now is the time to consider doing a “test drive.” Deciding upon a career is difficult without trying out the work. Internships allow you to “test drive” your career of choice. The more you know and the more you experience, the more confident you will be with your career choice.

There are many benefits to participating in an internship:

• Internships allow you to gain valuable hands-on experience to help build your resume.
• An internship is a great way to confirm if the career you have selected is a good fit for you (or not).
• Internships provide you with opportunities to network and meet professionals in the industry you wish to join.
• Some employers hire their interns upon graduation.

Some internships are paid while others are unpaid. Regardless, the experience you gain is priceless. Oftentimes employers are looking to hire individuals with specific work experience. Having this work experience can be difficult for a recent college graduate, but internships provide necessary experience to build your resume and show employers you do have hands-on, industry-specific experience.

For information about finding an internship, please see HACC’s Career Services website: Career Services (hacc.edu)