Ã山ǿ¼é

Learning Beyond the Classroom

At Ã山ǿ¼é, we believe that learning by doing is one of the most effective and high-impact ways to learn — which is why experiential learning has been woven into all aspects of our education, in and out of the classroom, for more than 100 years.

From collecting and analyzing data through research and fieldwork to volunteering with companies and events related to your field of study, JWUs experiential education program will help you build a strong résumé — and a successful personal life — before you graduate.

JWU’s experiential education program puts you on the path to making effective career choices, identifying and pursuing internships, securing employment and navigating lifelong career direction.

Internships

Ã山ǿ¼éhas strategically partnered with national businesses and local community organizations that offer academic internships.

  • Thousands of employers post internship opportunities on JWU’s recruitment platform, Handshake.
  • Last year, Ã山ǿ¼éconnected students to 874 internship sites in 43 states.
  • Ã山ǿ¼épartners with industry sites across the globe. Explore 20  in 12 countries, including Canada, Curacao, London, China and The Virgin Islands.
  • Internships are designed to enhance your problem solving and communication skills, work ethic, professionalism and collaboration.
  • 96.5% of students said internships strengthened their confidence in academics and their career.

Learn More About Our Internships

damarious borden standing with arms crossed on nba court

74.7% Of internships are paid

77.6% Offered employment after paid internship

97% Of employers rate JWU’s internship program as Good or Exceptional

students filming together

Directed Experiential Education (DEE)

This unique semester-long class invites students from different majors to collaborate on a real-world project.

  • Set project goals, attend client meetings and engage in fieldwork throughout the semester.
  • Use the skills you’ve learned in and out of the classroom to complete a project for a nonprofit or for-profit partner.
  • Gain insight into possible career paths through an industry-based or functional-area-based project.
  • Highlight the project on your résumé to demonstrate experience to potential employers.

Career-Focused Programs

Gain real-world experience and network with professionals in your industry through one of JWU’s career programs.

  • Take advantage of #HireÃ山ǿ¼éto browse thousands of jobs and internships posted just for Ã山ǿ¼éstudents.
  • Develop your skills for an easier transition from college to career with JWU’s career management course.
  • JWU’s workshops offer résumé building assistance and interview tips from career experts.
  • 89.2% of students completing their career management course showed improved confidence in their career planning skills.

Explore Career Success at JWU

student and vendor shaking hands at career fair

95.4% Career Outcomes Rate* (11.3% higher than national average)**

75.8% Employed (15.6% higher than national average)**

58.5% Knowledge/Response Rate (3.8% higher than national average)**

*For an explanation of the career outcomes rate and other information, visit Ã山ǿ¼éStudent Consumer Information.

**National Average source from National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) First Destination Survey Class of 2021; based on Ã山ǿ¼ébachelor’s degree graduates.

Volunteerism

  • Connect with the community while gaining real-world experiences.
  • Volunteer opportunities include providing services to local shelters, planting trees in local neighborhoods, volunteering at the American Red Cross and more.
  • Serve the community or volunteer to learn about social responsibility, ethics and leadership.

Volunteering in Providence   

Volunteering in Charlotte

group of happy students repairing roof

What Employers Think of Wildcats

What Employers Want How They Rate Ã山ǿ¼éInterns

Adaptability

4.53

Work Ethic/Professionalism

4.50

Collaboration

4.44

Communication

4.43

Problem Solving

4.25

Table uses a 5.0 scale.
*Student internship assessment survey results, n=992. Site supervisor survey results, n=1425

More Experiential Education at JWU

Study Abroad

Broaden your horizons and make lasting memories! Immerse yourself in a new culture, make new friends and try new experiences while studying abroad. With many businesses seeking candidates who have an international perspective, this is  a great opportunity to learn about the arts, history, social structures and customs of another country. Study abroad opportunities range from learning about fashion in London to spending a semester at sea to designing your own study abroad program.

Apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios when you enroll in a fieldwork or research program. Ã山ǿ¼éoffers numerous research and fieldwork opportunities across different majors including OTD, psychology, biology and more. Sample courses include Undergraduate Laboratory and Field Research, Undergraduate Research Experience, Research Seminar in Psychology and Research and Inquiry.

classroom in session at the cannabis lab at JWU

Experiential Labs & Facilities

JWU’s labs are designed to promote hands-on learning to help you prepare for entering a career in your chosen field. Study cardiovascular systems in Providence’s Anatomy Lab and document cases at the Clinical Practice Center, both located in the 18,000-square-foot Center for Physician Assistant Studies. Study food development at the Microbiology and Chemistry Lab in Charlotte or learn about organic, sustainable gardening at The Coop, Charlotte’s student-run garden. Whatever your passion, explore it at JWU’s state-of-the-art labs and immersive facilities!

Michael Lieu, Culinary Nutrition Student at JWU

“At Momofuku, I worked with a lot of great chefs and learned how to time-manage. I worked as garde manger and in the raw bar. I shucked lots of oysters!”

-MICHAEL LIU, CULINARY NUTRITION

Student Experiences

photo of Sang Hoon Chae ’23 and Caleb Atkinson ’24 posing in front of two Del’s delivery trucks in a parking lot

Wildcats Apply Food Science at Del’s Lemonade

Caleb Atkinson ’24, a Culinary Science and Product Development major at JWU, interned at Del’s Lemonade where he conducted research and sensory analysis tests, as well as developed new products, including THC-infused gummies. Discover other products Caleb created at Del’s Lemonade.

A person holding a camera at their side

Inside a Media & Communications DEE Project

Media & Communications major Aiden Parker ’25 partnered with Rhode Island Monthly and the Rhode Island Foundation as part of a Directed Experiential Education (DEE) course. Learn how Aiden helped produce the video for Rhode Island Monthly’s annual Tech 10 Awards.

Cyber Students Launch First CyberPaw Competition

Three cybersecurity students collaborated to create CyberPaw, a capture-the-flag style competition designed to test students’ hacking and security skills. Discover the types of challenges students faced to win the $500 prize.

Picture of Time Square in NYC

NYC Trip Explores Media, Marketing and Advertising

Students from the Media & Communication, Marketing & Advertising and Digital Marketing & Social Media programs took an exciting trip to New York City. Discover what students were saying about their visit to the Paley Center for Media and Ogilvy Advertising Firm.

photo of Molly Gould OTD '24 standing in front of the OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY program sign

OTD Student Experiences ‘Humanity’ Through Butler Hospital Fieldwork

Molly Gould ’24 OTD interned at Butler Hospital where they ran discussion groups and completed assessments. Molly shares, “The team I worked with were some of the most hard-working, empathetic, compassionate and funny people I’ve met. I learned just as much from them as I did from my supervisor and the patients.”

A lit up neon sign spelling out SEEM.

JWU’s SEEM Leadership Conference Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Find out how thirteen Sports, Entertainment, Event — Management (SEEM) students planned and executed the SEEM Leadership Conference, a conference which features a keynote, professional panels and networking opportunities.