What is Experiential Learning?

At NYU, students participate in experiential learning when they actively develop and apply their knowledge to real-world situations and critically reflect on that experience to improve their skills and knowledge. Experiential learning often takes place in the form of extensive opportunities (such as internships, fellowships, clinicals, practica, apprenticeships, research, projects, capstones) and short-term opportunities (such as a hackathon or case competition)–and benefits from the guidance of mentors, faculty, and/or supervisors.

Why choose Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning gives students the opportunity to participate in hands-on experience that they usually would not be able to receive in the classroom. Some of the many benefits include better knowledge retention, strengthening problem solving skills, and discovering new ideas and perspectives.

University-wide Opportunities

The following represent selected opportunities within the New York University community. Many additional resources, offices, and initiatives exist, especially within individual schools and departments. These may include mentoring programs, advisory boards, additional funding opportunities, and more.

Career and Professional Development

Develop pathways for success through resources and skill advancement.

• Receive career support from one of the many career centers at NYU:
  • Wasserman Center for Career Development
  • Journalism Career Services
  • Tandon Career Services
  • Tisch Career Development
  • Wagner Career Resources & Services
• Support your transition from classroom to creative industries with the Production Lab
• Apply to the First-Generation Student Career Exploration Program
• Build and expand your leadership capacity with the Leadership Initiative
• Work closely with faculty and tutors at The Writing Center to gain more insight into your writing process
• Consider law, health, business, or other professional training with the Preprofessional Advising Center
• Explore clinical opportunities for pre-health students 

Community Service and Volunteerism

Engage communities or individuals by giving time and skills.

• Learn about NYU Service programs promoting local and global civic engagement
• Tutor New York City public school children in reading and math with American Reads and Counts
• Intern in a city agency as part of work-study through the NYC Public Service Corps
• Meet other first-year or transfer students at Project OutReach, a pre-orientation program
• Connect with local nonprofits and community organizations at the NYU Service and Volunteer Fair
• Build your resume, enhance your skills, and volunteer your time virtually for a non-profit through CatchaFire, Points of Light, or Taproot Foundation

Entrepreneurship

Develop a new project, idea, or venture.

• Tap into the Entrepreneurial Institute and other centers for startup support
• Connect, collaborate, and identify resources at the Leslie eLab
• Learn about seed capital to scale your startup through the Innovation Venture Fund
• Check out the Entrepreneurs Challenge, part startup accelerator and part venture competition
• Get support at all stages of your venture with the Stern W.R. Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship
• Join NYU Tandon Future Labs, a network of incubators and accelerators partnering with NYC
• Participate in the 3-part Startup Accelerator Series to make your startup ideas a reality
• Visit the NYU Tandon Makerspace to collaborate on design projects

Fellowships and Funding

Access support for experience, research, or projects.

• Apply for prestigious fellowships, scholarships, and internships with the Office of Global Awards
• Find Funding Opportunities for professional experiences
• Pursue opportunities at human rights organizations through the Gallatin Global Fellowship in Human Rights
• Join the 18-month Social Sector Leadership Diversity Fellowship for graduate students working in the field
• Attend or organize a conference with funding from the Student Government Assembly Conference Funding
• Empower yourself financially with the resources of the Office of Financial Education
• Apply to the NYU Prototyping Fund for financial support and mentorship to bring software and hardware ideas to life
• Create and test your own ideas around peace building with the Davis Projects for Peace

Research

Discover or explore a topic through investigation and analysis.

• Find an A-Z listing of Research Centers and Initiatives at NYU
• Participate in large, long-term Vertically Integrated Projects with other undergraduate students
• Explore the full website about undergraduate research to get ideas for research experiences
• Sign up for a 1-on-1 advising session with a graduate student fellow to help you create your own plan for undergraduate research. (Tip: sign in to NYUConnect first.)
• Apply to be an Undergraduate Research Assistant and get paid to work on a faculty member’s research.  These are particularly great positions for first-years, because they allow you to learn skills and content in a highly-mentored setting.
• Sign up for the Center for Undergraduate Research newsletter to keep up on new opportunities.

Study Away

Learn and grow in an environment beyond your home campus.

• Explore all of NYU’s Study Abroad opportunities
• Participate in the Global Leadership Scholars Program at NYU Washington DC
• Enroll at a leading research university through the International Exchange Program
• Identify Summer Abroad globally focused courses and programs
• Start your undergraduate degree at an NYU global site through the First Year Away Programs
• Find a short-term program for a January Study Away experience
• Foster global conversations in a conference setting through the Global Engagement Symposium

University Engagement

Connect with the broader NYU community for leadership and growth.

• Search NYU Engage to find student organizations’ information, events, and updates
• Participate in Student Government Assembly and work to improve the NYU student experience
• Get involved in an active chapter of Fraternities and Sorority Life
• Explore some of the school-based Mentorship Programs that connect with alumni
• Join Violet Network, NYU’s official online community for making global connections