Experiential learning is a process that extends college education beyond the textbook.
Do you know what experiential learning is — and why it can make the difference between graduating with a diploma and graduating ready for a career?
What happens if you graduate with a great GPA but no real-world experience? Suddenly, four years of sprinting to that 8 a.m., scribbling in the margins, studying in the Cougareat, and passing dreaded finals isn'tenough to land your dream job. A high GPA proves a student can learn — it doesn't prove they're ready to lead, solve problems, or work with people outside a classroom.
According to ZipRecruiter's 2026 Annual Grad Report, college graduates who had work experience during college — an internship, a part-time job, study abroad, volunteer work, anything — were hired at a rate of 81.6%, compared to just 40.7% for grads without it, more than double the rate.
For students studying at the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences, a meaningful college education does not end when the lecture is over. Instead, it extends into unforgettable experiences that reach far beyond the textbook. Read on to learn what experiential learning actually is, why it matters for life after graduation, and how to find opportunities to get started.
An Inspired Initiative
BYU President C. Shane Reese has repeatedly reinforced the impact experiential learning has on dedicated students. In a Q&A on fortifying the student experience, he says, “So many of our students leave BYU and become leaders, either in their communities or at work or in their families or in the Church. They've got to leave here with not only skills, but confidence to use those skills in any one of those environments.”
Learning Beyond the Books
According to the BYU Experiential Learning Framework, “Experiential learning is a process of learning through experience and reflection and occurs outside the formal classroom.” It is characterized by four foundational principles: inspiration, intention, integration, and reflection.
Through research initiatives, internships, performances, and study abroad, students are given hands-on opportunities that prepare them to be Christlike leaders in the professional world. They build networks that stretch beyond the classroom and develop an invaluable understanding of what they are learning that is essential to every job application.
Real career experiences also give students the chance to seek and share Christ’s light outside the university. They can bring His spirit into daily interactions and His hands into every project. Experiential learning equips students with the skills necessary to go forth and serve after graduation.
Experiential Learning is a Process
Danny Damron, Assistant Dean of Experiential Education & Professional Development at the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences says, “Experiential learning is a process that helps us actively engage in experiences in ways that lead to insight and improvement.” Damron explains that learning from experience is an intentional process. The type of learning that results in developing skills and leadership characteristics occurs when we apply things we know to a unique experience outside the classroom and then reflect on that experience.
True experiential learning consists of three components: intention, reflection, and integration.
Intent: Damron encourages students to set an intention before engaging in a learning experience and plan to apply previous learning into the new context. Ask, “What do I want to be able to claim about myself as a result of this experience?”
Reflect: Damron invites students to seek feedback and to reflect on what they learned and how they accomplished their plan.
Integrate: After intention and reflection, students need to integrate the skills they develop. A real experiential learning endeavor results in new skills and refined character. A good question to ask is, “What can I do now do that I couldn’t do before as a result of this experience?” or “How am I better now than I was before this?”
Opportunities Are Everywhere
Even though experiential learning is widely encouraged, many students are unsure how to incorporate it into their college education.
The Family, Home, and Social Sciences Internship Office provides students with a database of open internships. Students can schedule a meeting with an internship coordinator specific to their major to learn about programs that align with their career goals.
Because there are many ways to learn outside of the classroom, the internships office also has a Student Spotlight Website where students who have participated in internships are featured. This website is accessible to everyone and is a great way for students to explore internship possibilities that align with their interests and aspirations.
The Y-Serve Program at BYU is another great resource that connects students with volunteer opportunities that complement their major. With the mission to provide each BYU student with a service opportunity, Y-Serve offers over 70 unique programs looking for student recruits.
Furthermore, the BYU Kennedy Center provides students with opportunities to participate in domestic and international internships.
Job-search platforms such as Linked In, Handshake, and Indeed also connect students to great experiential learning programs.
More Than the Lecture
Although most students attribute powerful learning to a classroom setting, knowledge is often more than the material in a lecture. Most learning comes through making mistakes and navigating uncertainty.
Experiential learning can provide students with valuable skillsets that will bring them success in the workforce after graduation. As students get involved beyond the classroom, they can become more open, empathetic, and Christlike. By fostering meaningful connections with others, students are able to find fulfilment in what they study. Most importantly, experiential learning helps BYU students discover how to carry the Light of Christ with them everywhere they go.