Experiences through which students can apply their academic knowledge in work settings are a vital component of a college education.

Experiential Learning combines classroom knowledge with real world experiences and teaches the transferable skills you need for your future success.  NACE’s Job Outlook 2022 indicates 98% of employers are looking for these experiences in job candidates. 

Obtain experiential learning through a wide variety of enriching opportunities for students, including internships, job shadows, informational interviews, student employment or work-study, service-learning, volunteering, student organization leadership and campus involvement, faculty-led research and projects, and study-abroad.

Through the Career Development Office, you have access to hands-on learning starting your first year. Internships, job shadowing, informational interviewing, and part-time jobs are just a few of the experiences we offer.    

During your first year (or anytime in your academic career), you can explore a path of interest through an informational interview or a job shadow. 

These short externships offer a quick glance into a career while providing helpful tips for success. In addition, The Career Development Center has partnered with Alumni Relations to connect students with alumni, through the DSUMentor program. These DSUMentors work in varied industries and organizations.   

Upon completion of your first year, you are eligible to apply to the DeSales Internship Program.

Internships provide students with an opportunity to gain some valuable work experience, and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths. These semester long experiences can be for credit, not for credit, paid, or unpaid. In a recent First Destination Survey, 81% of students have indicated these experiences were instrumental to their gaining employment upon graduation. 

To begin building your career readiness skills and your experiences, contact our Assistant Director of Experiential Learning, Kathy Krause, at kathy.krause@desales.edu.