Shawnessy Mohawk, WSU Graduate Student, Organization Leadership
Occupational
Gain Real-World Experience Prior to Graduation Internships, practicums, and on-campus jobs are typical ways for students to gain practical experience prior to entering the workforce. They provide hands-on opportunities for students to hone in on required skill sets for prospective occupations.
during college. Winona State University recognizes that hands-on experience is vital to the future success of students. WSU is dedicated to providing students with numerous opportunities to attain important traits and skills in today’s business environments.
However, students usually obtain these positions toward the end of their academic careers. Required qualifications and trainings may not be met when applying for positions following graduation. According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, the Association of American Colleges and Universities found that “Only one in four employers think that twoand four-year colleges are doing a good job preparing students for the global economy”.
WSU’s Warrior Success Center supports students in this endeavor with advising, career and access services. They actively collaborate with WSU Departments, programs and outside community partners to provide free acces-sible services and resources for student success. In addition, WSU has over 180 clubs and student organizations available for students with some areas focused in advocacy, culture and diversity, and special interests. All student clubs and organizations give students an op-portunity to connect and network with others, develop their leadership skills and improve key communication skills.
While many academic degrees and courses address hypothetical situations and may require internships and practicums, students may not be presented with the practical experience needed for potential jobs. AAC&U suggests that areas for improvement for students include all of the following; written and oral communication, critical thinking and analytic reasoning, the application of knowledge and skills in real-world settings, complex problem solving, ethical decision making, and teamwork skills. The ealm of real–world experience is vast, especially
Wellzine
September 2013
Above: Image from the Well, a wellness conference at held at WSU in July, 2013. Opposite: More images from the Well conference
Alumni Whitney Sizer. ”I was also able to grow as a leader and a role model on campus!” The e are many other opportunities for students to gain experience and skills at WSU that include but are not limited to: Warrior Leads, Community Impact Program, and Camp Wellstone. In the upcoming year nearly 200 U.S. colleges and universities will be taking a new assessment, the Collegiate Learning Assessment, to reveal how prepared students are following college.
The test is administe ed as part of a nation-wide movement to assess skills of recent graduates. Institutions can decide whether or not to participate in the performance assessment. In addition, The Wall Street Journal states that President Barack Obama wants the federal government to develop a similar assessment to address student outcomes based on respective college performance. Depending on your professional goals and aspirations, gaining experience prior to graduation sounds like it is becoming a national expectation. Whether you are a first year or a super senior, your time to get involved is now!
These are available for student membership starting freshman year, where practical skills can be acquired throughout a student’s four or five years with WSU. Many clubs and organizations are opening membership to students at Southeast Technical College as well. “[The Health & Wellness Advocate Club] provided me with so many great opportunities to network with the WSU staff and my peers” said WSU health & wellness services