Experiential learning: Making the most of your (many) options!

Students take a selfie in front of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus train station in Mumbai.

Experiential learning is invaluable for students eager to gain the skills, knowledge and real-world experience they need to launch their career.

There are many different experiential learning opportunities available to students at Brandeis International Business School, ranging from internships and field projects to student clubs and startup challenges. Immersion trips like Industry Treks and the Hassenfeld Immersion Program are also very popular.

During my time at Brandeis, I participated in one field project, two internships, two on-campus consulting projects and many hackathons and competitions.

Here’s a quick overview of all things experiential at the International Business School!

Internships and field projects

Internships allow students to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field of study and are often available in various forms, including part-time, full-time or unpaid. When considering an internship, always do your research about the company and role and be sure to prepare for your interview with help from your Career Coach!

While interning with All-In-Pay, a leading Chinese FinTech company in the payment processing space, I discovered my passion for business development and working with institutional clients. Because of this amazing experience, I shifted my career focus from finance to marketing and business development.

Field projects allow students to work on a team project with a real business client. Under the supervision of a faculty advisor, field projects enable students to practice their problem-solving and collaboration skills and gain valuable industry knowledge.

My field project with a clean technology company was a success. Not only did our team achieve our project goals, I was also hired by the company after graduation in a business development role!

Student clubs and competitions

Joining a student club is a great way to build your resume, gain experience and meet fellow students with common interests. One great thing about the International Business School is there are so many clubs to choose from — the Data Analytics Club, International Marketing Club and LGBTQ+ Professional Student Association are just a few examples! Interested in learning more? Here are six reasons why you should join a student club.

Brandeis is also home to many student competitions and accelerator programs where you can apply your skills and knowledge outside the classroom.

At DeisHacks, an annual hackathon for social good, student teams help real nonprofit organizations in the Waltham area solve their business challenges. The Asper Center for Global Entrepreneurship hosts an annual pitch summit and student startup prize competition. And Brandeis University is home to the Spark Program, which helps teams of students, faculty and staff create successful startups and social impact projects.

Immersion programs

What could be better than traveling to a new city or country to build your network and learn about new career opportunities?

Through Industry Treks, students at the International Business School gain a better understanding of professional life in specific companies, industries and cities like New York and San Francisco. The trips, which are organized by the Career Strategies and Engagement Center, typically consist of company visits and alumni networking events. Want to learn more? Be sure to check out our Industry Trek guide for incoming students.

The Hassenfeld Immersion Program is also a student favorite! Every year, select groups of Hassenfeld fellows travel to dynamic overseas markets. In addition to lifelong memories, the immersive learning experiences leave students with valuable insights about the economy and culture of the countries they visit. Here’s a photo blog from a recent Hassenfeld trip to Delhi and Mumbai, India.

Student Insights features blog posts produced by current students and recent graduates of Brandeis International Business School. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author.