Academic learning is no doubt incredibly important. Attending lectures delivered by experts is the foundation of a university program. However, learning does not end at the end of class. Experiential learning is the idea that you can learn by doing. In experiential learning, you learn skills such as communication, project management, and teamwork. These skills are very much aligned with the work you would be doing after graduation such as in management consulting or any industry position.
The goal of this article is to help university students identify experiential learning opportunities on and off-campus.
Focus on Solving Problems
Personally, the most meaningful experiences I have had have come from those times when I solved a problem. As simple as it sounds, problem solving is the core for every experiential learning opportunity and especially the foundation for consulting. When you speak to management consultants about why they chose this industry, many of them will tell you how obsessed they are with the process of problem solving. In each project, consultants are thrown into an entirely new industry, given a new set of challenges, and expected to produce solutions. Consultants apply frameworks as having a structured approach makes it easier to reliably solve new problems.
Engaging in experiential learning opportunities brings what you learn in university outside the lecture hall and into a space where you can apply what you have learned. You can look for these opportunities on-campus as well as in the wider community.
1. Opportunities on-campus
A few experiential learning opportunities to look for on campus include consulting clubs, finance clubs, student government, and technology development teams. On-campus engagements are opportunities for students to engage with their peers in a productive environment. Not only are these incredible learning experiences, they connect you with fellow peers and you may develop friendships along the way. These organizations often times imitate the “real-world” that professionals are facing in their actual work. As a result, students get a glimpse into what working in a particular space may feel like such as consulting, finance, politics, or technology.
Personally, I joined a management consulting club in my first year and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Each semester, my peers and I have been paired with a real business to solve a strategic issue. Over the course of a few years, I have gained exposure to financial analysis, marketing strategies, and talent management. The work itself has given me a deeper understanding of the management consulting industry by practicing what business analysts do.
I have seen other business organizations, such as finance and investment type clubs, do similar project-based work. Some of these organizations invest and manage real dollars, while others operate in a simulated environment. Either way, I have seen these peers gain a significant advantage in their understanding of their respective sectors.
Student government is incredibly impactful as you develop policies and projects that significantly benefit the student-body. Many student government leaders transition smoothly into the consulting industry because they have experience problem-solving in novel circumstances.
Technology development teams build software solutions to address student challenges. These developers gain a practical understanding of identifying issues on campus and creating practical solutions to them. This skill of identifying problems and working together on fixes aligns directly with consulting work.
2. Opportunities off-campus
A few off-campus opportunities to get involved in include volunteering with a non-profit organization, interning at a business, or working on your own project. Getting involved in a non-profit organization is a perfect way to give back and contribute to a cause you believe in while learning meaningful takeaway lessons along the way. You could help fundraise, develop marketing materials, or organize events.
Many businesses offer internship programs to assist with their work while providing interns with learning opportunities. Excellent internship programs structure their timelines so that interns work on projects that are meaningful to the greater organization.
A personal project could be anything. You could start a photography business if you have a passion for photography, teach children a skill, or organize a community event. The opportunities are truly endless.
Final thoughts
Embracing experiential learning opportunities is a valuable way to apply the knowledge you learn in university and build real world skills that you can use when you matriculate into management consulting.
I hope that this post has sparked a few ideas on ways to get yourself more involved in the new year!
Zuhair Imaduddin is a labor relations student at Cornell University. He was a Product Management Intern at PNC Bank and is an incoming Innovation Development Summer Analyst at JPMorgan Chase.
Image: Unsplash