{"id":2434,"date":"2020-07-30T16:49:57","date_gmt":"2020-07-30T20:49:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/?page_id=2434"},"modified":"2025-09-11T13:48:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T17:48:15","slug":"work-experience","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/work-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Experiential Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"lead\"><strong>Aligning<\/strong> <strong>Career, Financial, and Life Goals<\/strong><\/div>\n<p>Work experience can be paid or unpaid, self-directed or supervised, short-term or long-term.\u00a0 Whatever the case may be, work experience provides us with perspective about who we are in relation to specific occupations, industries, and the world of work in general.<\/p>\n<p>Some work experiences are referred to as \"work-based learning experiences\", \"work-informed learning\", or \"experiential learning\", because the main focus is gaining perspective, knowledge, and skills through a interactive and\/or hands-on experience.\u00a0 Usually, these work experiences are supervised by educators, community leaders, or employers. In some cases, experiential learning includes opportunities to earn college credit and\/or income.\u00a0 Many successful professionals report that internships and volunteering played a critical role in their career decision-making and career advancement.\u00a0 So much is gained, during these experiences, that they essentially pay for themselves over time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Experiential learning helps individuals:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Test assumptions about what occupations would be a good \"fit\" for them<\/li>\n<li>Make more appropriate career\/education decisions, which can save a substantial amount of time and money and help people achieve their potential and life goals.<\/li>\n<li>Gain experience and skills needed to qualify for more valuable work opportunities<\/li>\n<li>Expand their network of professional contacts, which opens \"doors\" to more opportunities<\/li>\n<li>Develop a list of supervisors (a.k.a. \"references\"), who can vouch for their employability and qualifications and open doors to future employment opportunities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>TIP:<\/strong> Use an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/social-media-eportfolios\/\">electronic portfolio \/ social medial profile<\/a> to showcase resume information, skills, examples of your work, and documentation of other relevant accomplishments.<br \/>\n<div class=\"su-accordion su-u-trim gcc\">\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-default su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>Entrepreneurship<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p><strong>Entrepreneurship<\/strong> is a work experience that is generated and guided by an individual with a vision, as well as the skills, discipline, and drive to make the vision for a viable business a reality.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/allbusiness\/2018\/07\/15\/35-step-guide-entrepreneurs-starting-a-business\/#1b625b81184b\">35-Step Guide for Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-default su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>Occupation Videos<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p>Although watching videos is not considered \u201cexperiential learning\u201d, it does provide viewers with the opportunity to gather a more nuanced and human-centric perspective about workplaces and occupations.<\/p>\n<p>Go to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/exploration\/occupational-research\/\">Occupation Research web page<\/a> and select the \u201cOccupation Exploration Videos\u201d toggle to peruse a variety of occupation video platforms.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-default su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>Informational Interviews<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p>Career explorers are encouraged to set-up 30 to 40-minute <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/informational-interviewing\/\">informational interviews<\/a> with professionals in the field.\u00a0 If you do, you will very likely learn things that you can\u2019t find out about through online research. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/informational-interviewing\/\">Informational Interviews webpage<\/a>\u00a0includes a short video tutorial, articles, and a step-by-step guide.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-default su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>Job Shadows<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p>Conducting a job shadow involves observing a professional, as they move through their work day &#8211; for 4 hours, a single work day, a week, or more.<\/p>\n<p>These are very short-term unpaid experiences that do not generally include an opportunity to gain or apply skills.\u00a0 However, they have helped <em>many<\/em> people discern if a specific job, workplace, or industry will be a good fit for them.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px\"><strong>WHY?<\/strong> We can use all of our senses to find out how the place, people, routine, and responsibilities feel.\u00a0 We can also get a better sense of how much a given occupation would engage our strengths, skills, interests, and values.\u00a0 Although the imagination still has be used, a much more informed career decision can be made as a result of one or more job shadow experiences. The longer the job shadow, the more accurate our assessment of fit will be.<\/p>\n<p>A job shadow also provides us with the invaluable opportunity to have questions answered by professionals who have <em>lived<\/em> experienced.<\/p>\n<p>Last, but not least, it is a great opportunity to build professional relationships (a.k.a. &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/\">network<\/a>&#8220;), which could open doors to other job shadows, more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/strategies\/networking\/informational-interviewing\/\">informational interviews<\/a>, internships and employment opportunities.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebalancecareers.com\/job-shadowing-is-effective-on-the-job-training-1919285\">Job Shadow Guidance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themuse.com\/advice\/how-to-be-an-amazing-jobshadow-host\">Job Shadow Article\/Insights for Hosts<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-default su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>Mentorship<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p>There is nothing like learning from people with lived experience &#8211; especially those who have more and\/or different life and work experience than we do.\u00a0 Despite the fact that we live in a highly individualistic society, humans are social beings at the core.\u00a0 People need people, and the more experienced, kind, and available allies we have in our lives, the better.\u00a0 Consider giving yourself this extra support by checking out one or more of the following resources:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themuse.com\/advice\/how-to-find-qualities-good-mentor\">How to Find Quality Mentors<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-default su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>Internships (paid &amp; unpaid)<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p>Please visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/internships\/\">internships webpage<\/a>, and contact David Brown for information about 911±¬ÁÏÍø internships: brownd@gcc.mass.edu.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-default su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>Volunteering<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/volunteering\/\">Volunteer experiences<\/a> are usually time-limited opportunities to test our abilities, exercise skills and strengths (that we can then list in a resume), experience a work environment, build our professional network, and earn professional references or recommendations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Volunteering vs. Internships:\u00a0<\/strong> While volunteering, we may not learn new skills and will likely only have the opportunity to use entry-level skills. However, the expectation in internships is that you will gain not only entry-level skills but more advanced skills as well.\u00a0 Additionally, some internships, like those brokered by 911±¬ÁÏÍø, are paid work-based learning experiences.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-default su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span>Employment<\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\">\n<p>More often than not, employment helps us learn about ourselves, a workplace, and what we want to do (or not do) in the future.<\/p>\n<p>When preparing for employment, consider what skills and experiences you need in order to qualify for your &#8220;dream job.&#8221;\u00a0 The more relevant skills and experience we can show on our resume the better.\u00a0 Therefore, making strategic job choices now can help you qualify for a higher-level and better-paying job sooner than later.\u00a0 To find a job, check out the following resources:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/\">Get-A-Job section of website<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/career-services\/get-a-job\/\">Job Openings webpage<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1KRplv4SZ_kwZay25k8Bk0XR-FVF7KrjseRbqqnvZSPQ\/edit?usp=sharing\">Get a Job or Internship Action Plan<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Employment vs. Internships:\u00a0<\/strong> Usually, the types of jobs we can get are based on the skills and education we have gained prior to applying for the position.\u00a0 Although we apply for internships, just like we do for jobs, the expectation is that the intern will have an opportunity to learn in exchange for the work they accomplish. Sometimes, interns earn money. A good internship is extremely valuable, whether hours are paid for or not.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Work experience can be paid or unpaid, self-directed or supervised, short-term or long-term.\u00a0 Whatever the case may be, work experience provides us with perspective about who we are in relation to specific occupations, industries, and the world of work in general. 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