UVM has a wide range of experiential learning programs and opportunities to support you becoming career-ready.
Take learning to a whole new level.
Experiential learning — learning by doing, especially outside of a traditional classroom setting — is a great way to get practical experience, gain new transferable skills, explore interests, and discover possible career paths.
Internships
Looking to combine your classroom learning with work in a professional setting? Internships can be paid, unpaid, for credit or not-for-credit, and can take place in Burlington, out-of-state, or even in another country - but in any internship, you can expect to learn by doing, to develop new professional skills and experience, and to network with professionals in the industry.
Part-Time Jobs
Working on or off campus comes with real responsibilities that will prepare you for full-time employment. Build your resume and your professional skills by finding a part-time job.
Job Shadowing
Connect with alums working in the field and learn what a day in the life is like at your dream job. You can see what a typical work day looks like, make connections to people in an industry, and determine if this type of job is a good fit with your interests and goals.
Study Abroad
Studying abroad allows you to learn about other cultures and about yourself. Students often find that they come back with a clearer understanding of what they want to do in life, and how to accomplish it. You will develop and hone skills that help you stand out to employers, including intercultural communication, self-reliance, problem-solving, and foreign language fluency.
Community Service
Volunteering through a student club or local organization is another great way to explore your interests, expand your skill set, and discover new possibilities. UVM is known for its commitment to community service - consider volunteering some of your time to a worthwhile cause and you may be surprised by just how much gain.
Leadership Opportunities
Leadership comes in many different forms, but each opportunity provides you with a chance to find your own voice, make an impact on your community, and build your confidence. As a job-seeker, these are excellent skills and experiences to reflect and build on.
Service-Learning
UVM students report that their service-learning classes offer higher levels of academic challenge, greater interaction with a faculty member, and higher levels of critical thinking and real world problem-solving than traditional coursework. Connect your classroom experience with the broader Burlington community; in exchange, you'll gain hands-on skills that will make you career-ready. Check in with the Office of Community-University Partnerships & Service-Learning (CUPS) to learn more about service-learning at UVM.
Undergraduate Research
Participating in undergraduate research lets you work closely with experts in your interest area, and offers you an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and direct mentorship from a scholar in your field. Undergraduate research can help you understand concepts and techniques learned in the classroom in a whole new way, and elevate your academic record to the next level - which will help you stand out to prospective employers and graduate programs. The Office of Fellowships, Opportunities & Undergraduate Research (FOUR) is a great place to start your journey.
Fellowships
Fellowships are nationally competive, prestigious awards that recognize students with excellent academic records, significant community engagement experience, and ambitions to change the world. They provide you with an opportunity to deeply engage in your field of study, and carry a lot of weight in the job or graduate school search. Learn more about nationally competitive fellowships by connecting with the Office of Fellowships, Opportunities & Undergraduate Research (FOUR).
of students participate
in Experiential Learning
during their time at UVM