Learning From Experience II
This course offers students two pathways: completing an internship aligned with their post-graduation career goals or incubating their entrepreneurial endeavor or existing business. Under the supervision of faculty, students will receive input and feedback from either their internship supervisor or entrepreneurial mentors who provide coaching tailored to their chosen path. The course is designed to position students for continued progress in the subsequent final Quarter, whether by advancing their business, extending their internship, or using an internship during this Quarter to enable better incubation of their existing business or entrepreneurial endeavor during their final Quarter.
Core Topics
- Course Introduction & Goal Setting
- Framework for reflective writing
- Internship Focus: Define individual contributions to organizational goals and personal development within the organization.
- Entrepreneurship Focus: Define specific business milestones and personal development goals for the venture.
- Industry Exploration & Research
- Internship Focus: Analyze the organization’s role in the industry and its competitive landscape.
- Entrepreneurship Focus: Conduct a market analysis to identify trends, customer needs, and potential competitors for the business
- Professional Leadership in Action
- Internship Focus: Identify opportunities to lead or contribute to organizational projects.
- Entrepreneurship Focus: Explore leadership challenges in start-ups, such as decision-making, resource allocation, and motivating a small team or self.
- Mid-point Goal Check-In
- Internship Focus: Reflect on contributions to organizational projects and professional skill development.
- Entrepreneurship Focus: Reflect on progress toward business milestones and personal entrepreneurial growth.
- Collaboration & Team Dynamics
- Internship Focus: Focus on collaborating within teams or across departments within the organization.
- Entrepreneurship Focus: Explore building partnerships, managing external stakeholders, or collaborating with co-founders and contractors.
- Managing Conflict
- Internship Focus: Focus on managing team dynamics and resolving workplace conflicts.
- Entrepreneurship Focus: Explore managing disagreements with partners, contractors, or customers in the venture.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Internship Focus: How can students apply DEI strategies in their workplace teams?
- Entrepreneurship Focus: How can students integrate DEI into their venture’s team culture, customer engagement, or community impact?
- Synthesizing Industry Insights
- Internship Focus: Develop strategic recommendations or improvements for the organization based on industry insights.
- Entrepreneurship Focus: Identify strategic pivots or expansions for the business based on market trends.
- Preparing for Future Success
- Internship Focus: Translate internship experiences into updated resumes, interviews, and networking conversations. Reflect on internship experience and influence on career direction.
- Entrepreneurship Focus: Create a pitch deck or business update to present to potential investors, partners, or mentors.
Learning Outcomes and Career Relevance
- Develop foundational industry knowledge by identifying key trends, challenges, and opportunities within a specific industry sector.
- Demonstrate professional leadership skills by contributing meaningfully to organizational goals and completing assigned tasks.
- Demonstrate collaboration skills by building and maintaining professional relationships, working effectively toward shared goals, valuing diverse perspectives, and managing conflict constructively within team and organizational settings.
- Evaluate personal and professional growth through reflective analysis of field experiences, identifying strengths, areas for improvement, and actionable strategies for future career or business success.


