{"id":298,"date":"2020-04-27T16:09:41","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T16:09:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/chapter\/work-experience\/"},"modified":"2021-04-26T17:40:15","modified_gmt":"2021-04-26T17:40:15","slug":"work-experience","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/chapter\/work-experience\/","title":{"raw":"13.2 Work Experience","rendered":"13.2 Work Experience"},"content":{"raw":"[pb_glossary id=\"470\"]Experiential learning[\/pb_glossary] is \"based on students being directly involved in a learning experience rather than being recipients of ready-made content in the form of lectures\" (ContactPoint, 2014a). Experiential\u00a0learning is:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Action-oriented<\/li>\n \t<li>Learner-centred<\/li>\n \t<li>Geared toward process, rather than\u00a0outcomes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nIn this way, knowledge is created as the learner moves through the experience.\n\nThrough your educational program, you may be able to participate in a variety of different learning experiences in tourism and hospitality. Students who participate in a learning experience outside of the classroom are more likely to enter the field with both academic and practical workplace skills and knowledge, and have more opportunities for career advancement.\n<h1>Work Experience Examples<\/h1>\nLet's have a look at some of the common types of work learning experiences:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Co-op education<\/li>\n \t<li>Internship<\/li>\n \t<li>Practicum<\/li>\n \t<li>Service learning<\/li>\n \t<li>Volunteering<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nEach of these is\u00a0defined below.\n<h2>Co-op Education<\/h2>\nCo-operative, or [pb_glossary id=\"433\"]co-op education[\/pb_glossary] refers to \"a structured program that integrates work experience in a student\u2019s field along with academic studies by alternating in-class learning with periods of actual work\" (ContactPoint, 2014b, para. 1). The term reflects the co-operative relationship between students, schools, and employers.\n<h2>Internship<\/h2>\nAn [pb_glossary id=\"522\"]internship[\/pb_glossary] is a temporary on-the-job experience that is \"typically offered to students or inexperienced workers\" (ContactPoint, 2014c, para. 1). It is generally project-oriented, and supervised.\n\nThe intern should have\u00a0specific learning goals against which he or she can apply\u00a0experience about a particular industry or field of work. The term\u00a0may be paid or unpaid, and may lead to permanent career opportunities with the organization (ContactPoint, 2014b).\n<h2>Practicum<\/h2>\nA [pb_glossary id=\"575\"]practicum[\/pb_glossary]\u00a0is \"applied learning that provides students with practical experience and interaction with professionals from industry and the community outside of school\" (ConnectEd, 2011, p.3). The goal is to support career readiness and help enhance:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Higher-order thinking<\/li>\n \t<li>Academic skills<\/li>\n \t<li>Technical skills<\/li>\n \t<li>Applied workplace skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe experience may be paid or unpaid.\n<h2>Service Learning<\/h2>\n[pb_glossary id=\"601\"]Service learning[\/pb_glossary] is defined as a course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs<\/li>\n \t<li>Reflect on the service activity to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility (Bringle &amp; Hatcher, 1995)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Volunteering<\/h2>\n[pb_glossary id=\"647\"]Volunteering[\/pb_glossary] involves performing a service without pay in order to obtain work experience, learn new skills, meet people, contribute to community, and contribute to a cause that\u2019s important to the volunteer (for example, helping animals, supporting elderly people, working for an\u00a0environmental cause)\u00a0(Pickerell, 2014).\n<h1>Benefits of Work Experience Programs<\/h1>\nStudents who have completed a formal work experience component benefit from a\u00a0supportive partnership between\u00a0the educational institution, the employer, and themselves. This partnership encourages\u00a0community stakeholder investment, student learning opportunities, professional networks, as well as opportunities for employers to participate as co-educators.\n\nSome institutions may work with an experiential education coordinator to ensure a particular position meets the school's criteria. Depending on your program, remuneration for work can\u00a0be by the hour, by salary, by a\u00a0stipend, as in-kind contributions (experiences or services from the business), or as a volunteer assignment. The educational institution may monitor your placement\u00a0and ask you to complete an assignment where you reflect on the work experience. Some programs may have an evaluation component and a supervisor who supports the student's learning. Students are also evaluated by the employer, and they will have a supervisor whom they report to directly.\n\nMost often, for students to participate in a work experience program, they are\u00a0required to maintain a certain grade point average (GPA) set by the school. Often students are also asked to establish learning goals prior to starting their work experience.\n\nIf your program doesn't offer a formal work experience program such as a co-op, internship, or practicum, you can still gain valuable hands-on learning through part-time work and volunteer opportunities.\u00a0Because tourism is the number-one employer of youth in BC, you can find a part-time job to develop\u00a0your skills and gain an entry-level opportunity to join the industry.\n\nWhatever experience you engage in, be it formal, or informal, it's important to:\n<ul>\n \t<li>Explore your employer's organizational culture and social norms<\/li>\n \t<li>Do your best on the job<\/li>\n \t<li>Gain conflict management and resolution skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThese three keys come directly from BC tourism and hospitality employers (LinkBC, 2014), and are explored in the next section.","rendered":"<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_298_470\">Experiential learning<\/a> is &#8220;based on students being directly involved in a learning experience rather than being recipients of ready-made content in the form of lectures&#8221; (ContactPoint, 2014a). Experiential\u00a0learning is:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Action-oriented<\/li>\n<li>Learner-centred<\/li>\n<li>Geared toward process, rather than\u00a0outcomes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In this way, knowledge is created as the learner moves through the experience.<\/p>\n<p>Through your educational program, you may be able to participate in a variety of different learning experiences in tourism and hospitality. Students who participate in a learning experience outside of the classroom are more likely to enter the field with both academic and practical workplace skills and knowledge, and have more opportunities for career advancement.<\/p>\n<h1>Work Experience Examples<\/h1>\n<p>Let&#8217;s have a look at some of the common types of work learning experiences:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Co-op education<\/li>\n<li>Internship<\/li>\n<li>Practicum<\/li>\n<li>Service learning<\/li>\n<li>Volunteering<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Each of these is\u00a0defined below.<\/p>\n<h2>Co-op Education<\/h2>\n<p>Co-operative, or <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_298_433\">co-op education<\/a> refers to &#8220;a structured program that integrates work experience in a student\u2019s field along with academic studies by alternating in-class learning with periods of actual work&#8221; (ContactPoint, 2014b, para. 1). The term reflects the co-operative relationship between students, schools, and employers.<\/p>\n<h2>Internship<\/h2>\n<p>An <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_298_522\">internship<\/a> is a temporary on-the-job experience that is &#8220;typically offered to students or inexperienced workers&#8221; (ContactPoint, 2014c, para. 1). It is generally project-oriented, and supervised.<\/p>\n<p>The intern should have\u00a0specific learning goals against which he or she can apply\u00a0experience about a particular industry or field of work. The term\u00a0may be paid or unpaid, and may lead to permanent career opportunities with the organization (ContactPoint, 2014b).<\/p>\n<h2>Practicum<\/h2>\n<p>A <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_298_575\">practicum<\/a>\u00a0is &#8220;applied learning that provides students with practical experience and interaction with professionals from industry and the community outside of school&#8221; (ConnectEd, 2011, p.3). The goal is to support career readiness and help enhance:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Higher-order thinking<\/li>\n<li>Academic skills<\/li>\n<li>Technical skills<\/li>\n<li>Applied workplace skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The experience may be paid or unpaid.<\/p>\n<h2>Service Learning<\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_298_601\">Service learning<\/a> is defined as a course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs<\/li>\n<li>Reflect on the service activity to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility (Bringle &amp; Hatcher, 1995)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Volunteering<\/h2>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_298_647\">Volunteering<\/a> involves performing a service without pay in order to obtain work experience, learn new skills, meet people, contribute to community, and contribute to a cause that\u2019s important to the volunteer (for example, helping animals, supporting elderly people, working for an\u00a0environmental cause)\u00a0(Pickerell, 2014).<\/p>\n<h1>Benefits of Work Experience Programs<\/h1>\n<p>Students who have completed a formal work experience component benefit from a\u00a0supportive partnership between\u00a0the educational institution, the employer, and themselves. This partnership encourages\u00a0community stakeholder investment, student learning opportunities, professional networks, as well as opportunities for employers to participate as co-educators.<\/p>\n<p>Some institutions may work with an experiential education coordinator to ensure a particular position meets the school&#8217;s criteria. Depending on your program, remuneration for work can\u00a0be by the hour, by salary, by a\u00a0stipend, as in-kind contributions (experiences or services from the business), or as a volunteer assignment. The educational institution may monitor your placement\u00a0and ask you to complete an assignment where you reflect on the work experience. Some programs may have an evaluation component and a supervisor who supports the student&#8217;s learning. Students are also evaluated by the employer, and they will have a supervisor whom they report to directly.<\/p>\n<p>Most often, for students to participate in a work experience program, they are\u00a0required to maintain a certain grade point average (GPA) set by the school. Often students are also asked to establish learning goals prior to starting their work experience.<\/p>\n<p>If your program doesn&#8217;t offer a formal work experience program such as a co-op, internship, or practicum, you can still gain valuable hands-on learning through part-time work and volunteer opportunities.\u00a0Because tourism is the number-one employer of youth in BC, you can find a part-time job to develop\u00a0your skills and gain an entry-level opportunity to join the industry.<\/p>\n<p>Whatever experience you engage in, be it formal, or informal, it&#8217;s important to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Explore your employer&#8217;s organizational culture and social norms<\/li>\n<li>Do your best on the job<\/li>\n<li>Gain conflict management and resolution skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These three keys come directly from BC tourism and hospitality employers (LinkBC, 2014), and are explored in the next section.<\/p>\n<div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_298_470\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_298_470\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Learning that takes place when a student directly participates in experiences designed for a learning purpose. Takes place both inside and outside of the classroom, and involves reflection as well as action.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_298_433\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_298_433\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>A special program offered by a college\/university in which students alternate work and study, usually spending a number of weeks in full-time study and a number in full-time employment away from the campus.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_298_522\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_298_522\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Short-term, supervised work experience in a student\u2019s field of interest for which the student may earn academic credit.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_298_575\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_298_575\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Practical experiences outside the classroom, supported by professionals in a workplace environment.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_298_601\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_298_601\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students participate in organized service that meets community needs, and reflect on the service.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_298_647\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_298_647\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Performing a service without pay in order to obtain work experience, learn new skills, meet people, contribute to community, and contribute to a cause.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":138,"menu_order":15,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-298","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":292,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/298","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/138"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/298\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":717,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/298\/revisions\/717"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/292"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/298\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=298"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=298"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=298"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tourismyt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=298"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}