Experience

Experience. We want every Northwestern student to participate in 2 to 3 hands-on learning opportunities that help you gain greater insight into your gifts and abilities while also helping you obtain professional skills and experiences. By engaging in the following active learning experiences, you can try out your skills, interests and values and see if there is a fit.

Internships

Internships provide hands-on learning opportunities for you to put into practice the things you have learned in the classroom.

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Job shadowing

Learn firsthand about the day-to-day work of a professional in your field of interest.

Job Shadowing Guide

Off-campus study

Take your learning beyond the classroom by spending a semester or summer in a new and exciting educational setting! Opportunities exist in locations across the United States and abroad.

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On-Campus Opportunities

Leadership

College is the perfect time to build your leadership skills through a variety of on-campus opportunities. Not only will you learn about your leadership style, gain confidence and practice strong communication skills, but you will serve your fellow students and have rich experiences to share with future employers about how you navigated a challenge or initiated a new project. Use your years in college to grow as a leader!

Service & community engagement

Giving back to your community is a wonderful way to demonstrate community awareness, personal passion and social justice. Employers look to applicants’ service and community engagement to learn about your willingness to invest in others and the values and mission that drive you.

Research & capstone projects

The skills and experience you gain doing research and capstone projects for your classes are excellent preparation for future work projects, so seek out opportunities to incorporate them into your undergraduate education. Not only will you strengthen your research, analysis and writing skills, but you will build relationships with professors and peer researchers. You may also have an opportunity to present your findings or publish your conclusions!