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William Paterson University has launched an innovative, expanded experiential learning model designed to give every student the opportunity to obtain a significant hands-on experience that will prepare them for success in the job market following graduation.
The Career Experience Program, a collaboration between the Career Development Center and the Division of Academic Affairs, is required for all students beginning with this year’s first-year students who will graduate in 2028. The comprehensive program, unique among those at New Jersey public institutions, offers students a variety of ways to fulfill the requirement.
Options range from coursework in a student’s major that includes a hands-on project, fieldwork or a civic engagement experience, to opportunities outside class such as an internship, job simulation, job shadowing, or faculty-led research project, among other options. A majority of students will be able to complete the requirement through the curriculum of their major.
The program is part of the University’s strategic and holistic approach to student support, designed to prepare them for college and beyond. All new students are paired with a student success team of experts and mentors that who stay with them through graduation, including a career coach. Career development begins in the first semester.
“We are very excited about this new and innovative approach to experiential learning which ensures that all students have access to hands-on learning that prepares them for their chosen career,” says Miki Cammarata, vice president for student development. “I am particularly excited about the diversity of options and format, which allows us to provide relevant experiences to everyone. For some students, including those who work full-time or lack transportation, for example, a traditional internship might be difficult to arrange.”
According to Mary Alice Barrows, director of the Career Development Center, today’s employers are increasingly looking for evidence of hands-on skills when they look to hire new graduates, and William Paterson is a leader in a growing trend toward providing students with a comprehensive experiential learning program.
“For example, 90 percent of employers who responded to the NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) Job Outlook 2025 survey indicated they are seeking evidence of a student’s ability to solve problems and nearly 80 percent are seeking candidates who have strong teamwork skills,” she says. “Through this program, we are providing our students with a wide range of experiences through which they can utilize the knowledge they’ve gained in the classroom, develop the essential skills employers are looking for, and give them an edge in the job market.”
The University has taken a distinctive approach in adopting a broad array of experiences focused on meeting the needs of the institution’s various student populations, including online and adult learners. “We are focused on providing greater access and flexibility for our students in gaining valuable experiences, especially for those who do not secure an internship or cannot do so,” says Barrows.
For example, students can develop skills by participating in shorter term experiences like a job shadowing or the virtual job simulation program Forage, where students can access interactive online projects developed by top employers. Such experiences allow students to explore career paths and try out different roles and industries without the commitment of a traditional internship, while practicing in-demand skills like problem-solving and communication in a simulated work environment.
Students can add these experiences and skills to their resume. In addition, when students sign up for a non-credit experience such as Forage, they will be directed to a Career Experience course on Blackboard that provides career readiness support and resources.
While the requirement is effective for new students as of the 2024-25 academic year and beyond, all current students are encouraged to participate. “The more that students can demonstrate the skills they’ve obtained, the more marketable they are,” says Barrows. “We hope students will take full advantage of all the options we are providing and gain multiple experiences so they can build their skills.”
For more information on the program, visit https://www.wpunj.edu/career-center/experiential-learning.
01/28/25
