Experiential Learning鈥痠s the process of 鈥痑cquiring鈥 knowledge through hands-on activity and reflective observation 鈥痮f the activity and the experience of doing it.鈥
Check out the exciting experiential learning opportunities 鈥痓eing offered鈥 through the Center for Career and Leadership Development!
Student Job & Volunteer Fair
The Student Job and Volunteer Fair is intended for all students looking to work in a part-time capacity, volunteer, and/or connect with other experiential learning鈥痮pportunities on or near campus.鈥疧n campus and local community employers will be鈥痑vailable to showcase opportunities for part-time jobs, and numerous campus, nonprofit,鈥痗ommunity, and government organizations will be on hand to share meaningful ways to engage in experiential learning and enhance your career skills through volunteering, mentorship, leadership, research, study abroad, and more! Make sure you are prepared to meet with employers and put your best foot forward鈥痓y鈥痟aving your resume ready and鈥痬eeting with a career coach.鈥
The鈥疐all and Spring鈥疭tudent Job and Volunteer Fairs are鈥痟eld within the first 4 weeks of classes.鈥
Register on Handshake: Navigate to the 鈥淓vents鈥 tab and then go to the 鈥淐areer fairs鈥痑t your school鈥濃痮ption to鈥痩earn more about upcoming fairs, including currently registered鈥痚mployers/organizations,鈥痮n !鈥赌&苍产蝉辫;
Faculty/Staff & Employers:
Employers, Organizations, or Departments looking to recruit student talent?鈥疌ontact the Experiential Learning team at鈥experientiallearning@odu.edu鈥痶o learn more about your recruitment options for this fair.鈥&苍产蝉辫;
Greater Norfolk Corporation (GNC) Executive Mentorship Program
The Greater Norfolk Corporation's Executive Mentorship Program is designed to pair local professionals from a wide range of industries with motivated college students for鈥痓oth the fall and spring semesters, career-oriented mentorship.鈥疭tudents will have the opportunity to experience one-on-one mentoring with a local Norfolk-area professional,鈥痚xplore potential networking connections and opportunities for advice and support,鈥痑nd learn about career paths and gain insights into professional experiences鈥痠n a business setting.鈥疨ast mentors have come from a wide range of industries, with students directly connected with people such as the Chief Executive Officer of The Digital Builders, Chief Strategy Officer of YMCA of South Hampton Roads, Director of Community Engagement of Work Program Architects, and more.
All rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors are invited to apply for the 2025-2026 Greater Norfolk Corporation.
- One-on-One Mentoring - Students will have the opportunity to experience one-on-one mentoring with a local Norfolk-area professional.
- Networking Opportunities - Explore potential networking connections with the help of a mentor! Career-specific professionals can offer advice and support for our future professionals.
- Career Readiness - Students will work closely with mentors to gain professional experience in a business setting and learn more about their desired career path.
Past mentor industries have included:
- Education
- Law
- Architecture
- Finance
- Business Management
- Government
- Audio/Visual
- Health Science
- Engineering
- Arts
- Hospitality
The minimum monthly participation requirements include:鈥
- 鈥疪emaining鈥痠n contact with your mentor and 国产伦理鈥痜acilitator鈥
- Meet with your mentor once per month鈥
- Attend 2 required networking/social events during your mentorship for you and your鈥痬entor to attend (opening ceremony and end-of-year ceremony), as well as optional professional development events and workshops for mentorship鈥痯articipants through 国产伦理鈥檚 Center for Career and Leadership Development.鈥
There will be three networking/social events during your mentorship for you and your mentor to attend (opening ceremony, winter celebration, and end-of-year ceremony), as well as optional professional development events and workshops for mentorship participants through 国产伦理's Center for Career and Leadership Development.
Transportation will be provided to and from any off-campus events.
础辫辫濒颈肠补迟颈辞苍鈥赌
The online application opens in July and closes in late August. Be prepared to answer questions related to鈥痽our interest in鈥痯articipating鈥痠n the program,鈥痵hort-term and long-term career goals,鈥痵kill development and growth areas, and what you are looking for in a mentor.鈥
In addition, a recommendation letter from an 国产伦理 faculty or community member addressed to 鈥淕NC Mentorship Program Coordinator鈥 is required. After submitting your application, you will be contacted to schedule an informational interview.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the 国产伦理 Center for Career and Leadership Development at experientiallearning@odu.edu
Complete the online application by September 1, 2026
Job Shadow
The 国产伦理 Job Shadow program (coming soon) is designed to connect 国产伦理 students with employers in the community. Shadowing a professional provides students with an opportunity to explore career fields, gain insight into day-to-day operations, observe professionals in action, and build their professional networks by shadowing professionals on a single-day event. This program will be piloted during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) Internship Program
On-campus Federal Work-Study 鈥(FWS) 鈥痠nternships are now available in the Fall and Spring semesters to provide hands-on learning experiences fostering career exploration and skills development. FWS Interns will work on assignments both independently and collaboratively to meet learning鈥 objectives 鈥痑nd build networks for the future. Sites and responsibilities vary across the university.鈥&苍产蝉辫;
Students:
Search and apply for FWS internship roles on ! When searching available roles filter by 鈥極n Campus Student Employment鈥 and look for 鈥楩WS Internship鈥 in the position title.
Faculty/Staff & Employers:
Interested in creating a FWS internship position or converting a tradition FWS position into an internship? If you have鈥 a FWS 鈥痯osition鈥 allocation, you can!
- Review the presentation on鈥 鈥
- Convert your position to an internship. Please see and download the template鈥 鈥 to upload in your application.鈥
- Review the expectations and complete the鈥 .鈥&苍产蝉辫;