Experiential Learning
Explore. Engage. Make an Impact.
Experiential learning gives you the chance to take your education beyond the classroom—into communities, workplaces, labs, and the world. Through internships, research, service, study away, and more, you’ll apply what you’re learning in real time, gaining skills, confidence, and perspective. To help you make meaning of these experiences and stay grounded in your goals, we offer the Impact Compass.
The Impact Compass
Where Purpose Meets Practice
College is more than just checking boxes or earning credits; it's a time to explore who you are, what you care about, and how you want to present yourself in the world. The Impact Compass is here to help guide that journey.
Designed with you in mind, the Impact Compass is a framework that connects your academic experiences with your values, interests, and goals. It helps you see the bigger picture, how what you're learning today can shape the difference you make tomorrow.
At its heart, the Compass is about purposeful learning. It invites you to dive in, take action, reflect deeply, and grow intentionally. Whether you’re leading a project, volunteering in your community, exploring career paths, or simply trying to figure out your next step, the Compass helps you navigate it all with meaning.
Doing. Leading. Serving. Becoming.
These are the four directions of the Impact Compass. Together, they encourage you not just to go through college, but to make it your own. It's not about having it all figured out. It’s about staying curious, taking initiative, and building a life and career that genuinely reflect who you are.
The journey is yours. The Compass is here to help you find your way—and your impact.
The Five Points of the Compass
Lead with clarity and courage.
Leadership is about more than a title. It's about stepping up, taking initiative, and acting with integrity. At this point on the Compass, you will learn how to navigate uncertainty, inspire others, and lead with purpose, on campus and beyond.
Prepare with purpose.
Discover your strengths, gain valuable professional experience, and develop the skills to succeed after graduation. From internships and resume workshops to career coaching and alumni connections, this point helps you move toward your future with confidence.
Lead with heart.
Service is about empathy, humility, and action. Whether you're tutoring local youth, supporting community health, or volunteering abroad, service experiences challenge you to engage meaningfully, and to grow through giving.
Be a voice for change.
This point is about understanding your role in society and using your voice to make a difference. From learning how systems work to advocating for the issues you care about, civic engagement empowers you to shape your community—and the world.
Make it real. Make it matter.
At the heart of the Impact Compass is Experiential Learning—the point where all other dimensions converge. This is where theory meets practice, and where knowledge becomes action. It’s not just about learning what to do, but also about understanding why it matters and how to do it with purpose.
Experiential learning offers immersive, practice-based opportunities that allow you to apply knowledge in real-world settings actively. However, simply having the experience won’t be enough if you want to make the most of it for professional programs or future careers. Experiential learning is more than a list of activities—it’s a reflective process. It’s through reflection, evaluation, and personal growth that these experiences become truly meaningful and help you stand out.
Examples of experiential learning include:
- Internships in your field of interest, providing professional experience and networking opportunities
- Micro internships and work simulations that offer short-term, focused experiences to build specific skills and gain workplace insights
- Research projects that deepen your understanding of a topic and develop analytical thinking
- Global education programs that expand your perspective through travel and cultural immersion
- Community-based learning, where coursework is integrated with service in the local community
- Creative projects, fieldwork, or performance-based work that bring learning to life outside the traditional classroom
This reflective process invites you to pause and consider key questions such as:
- What did I learn?
- What did I contribute?
- How has this experience shaped me?
- What will I do differently next time?
Through this process, you begin to make meaning from your experiences, and that meaning becomes a compass to guide both your personal and professional life. This is where your time at Pitt-Bradford becomes truly transformational.
You won’t navigate this journey alone. Our Experiential Learning & Leadership and Career Services teams are here to support you every step of the way, helping you reflect, grow, and make the most of your college experience.
To explore opportunities, learn how to reflect on your experiences, and practice articulating your value to employers or graduate programs, book a meeting with Angie Wolfe.