Experiential Learning Process at ODU

The process detailed below is for ODU students that earn an offer for employment and plan to obtain credit for their time worked as Experiential Learning toward their graduation requirements. Internship, Co-Op, Field Experience – whatever term works for you, you will complete the following steps for the official registration process.

You as a student are responsible for each step in this process. This is your experience. *If you are an International Student, please contact the Office of International Student Services.

Don’t have an offer yet? Start the conversation here

Learn how-to or why you could participate in an Experiential Learning Opportunity - use this link to complete the form Experiential Learning INTEREST FORM

Once you complete the Interest Form then schedule an appointment on Navigate360 with Rachel Benway-Long in the Career Development Center.

Choose the appointment type: EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

BEGIN HERE if you have an offer:

1st Step: Experiential Learning Form

Student: Once you complete this form, your response will be auto-sent to the Career Development Center. Once your form is reviewed, the Career Development Center will send you and your Faculty Advisor the links for the next steps that will need to be completed to continue the registration process.

Please allow up to 2 business days for a response. *If you need a more immediate response, please send an email to careercenter@ohiodominican.edu noting the urgency.

No other links for the process will be found on this website page – you must fill out the 1^st Step to have access to the other required forms.
The Career Development Center will email you and your Faculty Advisor the next steps to complete your registration. You as the student will have forms to complete with both your Faculty Advisor and Site Manager.

You will send your Site Manager: The Experiential Learning Site Manager Approval Form that they will complete on their own and the Experiential Learning Objectives Form that they will complete with you before you begin working.
You will need to print the Experiential Learning Registration Form. It will be an attached PDF in the email from the Career Development Center. Connect with your Faculty Advisor in person to complete their portion on the physical version.

Your Site Manager is likely not an ODU employee and does not need to be included in your class registration information, but please keep them up to date. You will send them the links above. The Career Development Center will send them a Final Evaluation Form the end of the semester.

Best Practices

Notes for Before, During, and After Experiential Learning

The Career Development Center has a 30-minute appointment type available on Navigate360 to inform students (or faculty) of this process – please note the appointment type/purpose you choose should be Experiential Learning.

Non-negotiable: The student cannot register for credit without completion of the registration process.

Evaluations: The Experiential Learning Objectives (noted above) and Final Evaluation for both the student and the Site Manager.

The Objectives will support the Final Evaluation form for the Site Manager to measure the student’s success. The Site Manager will complete the Final Evaluation on their own.

Student Final Evaluation and Site Manager Final Evaluation Forms should be completed during the last week of the experience.

During: Students are responsible for logging work hours on the Experiential Learning Hours Log Form. The Site Manager will sign at the end of the experience for approval. The student will turn into the Faculty Advisor.

Students and Site Managers are encouraged to schedule at least one 30-minute meeting per week to reflect and discuss progress towards goals or any issues that may have occurred.

Students are encouraged to connect with Faculty Advisors and the Career Development Center with any questions that they have during the experience and expectations or if an issue occurs at their place of work or with their Site Manager.

Post-Experiential Learning Opportunity:

You as the student are responsible for the completed documentation required to earn your credit, communication with your Faculty Advisor, and completing your experience evaluation for the Career Development Center.

The Career Development Center will compile data to benefit institutional reporting.

Helpful Notes

NACE

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) is the preeminent organization for research and outcomes data relating to the employment of college graduates. NACE recognizes and promotes various Experiential Learning opportunities to help students develop valuable skills, competencies, and practical experience. These opportunities are known as internships, co-ops, and other hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. The data from NACE is utilized by the vast majority of Career Services Departments across the nation.

NACE Career Readiness Competencies

These 8 competencies represent the skills and behaviors that employers seek in new graduates to ensure a successful transition into the workplace. The identified list includes the following eight competencies: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Respectful Practices, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology.

Previous Experience Credit

Counting credit from previous experiences and not current semester Experiential Learning will be taken case-by-case.

Examples: Student plans to participate in an experience over the summer semester, student has already completed the work and did not know of the requirements, or student could not count experience during the specific semester they participated due to financial or academic constraints - including credit per semester limit and the additional cost of doing so.

Outcomes Data for Career Development Center and ODU at large

What does completing the correct process do for the Career Development Center and ODU? Questions that will be answered because of correct data.

Where have students been engaging in Experiential Learning? Which experiences are enjoyable and why?
How many students participate in Experiential Learning each semester/year? How many students have participated semesterly/yearly in the past?
How many students have undergone out-of-state experiences and where?
Are participating ODU students more likely to be Ohio residents or out-of-state students?
How well did ODU students perform in line with NACE Career Competencies?
What are employers’ recommendations for improvement that will support workforce development initiatives and stronger hiring of ODU students for full-time employment?
Work Hours validation to support departmental accreditation standards.
Current local and statewide compensation rates.