Graduate students can get more from experiential learning by approaching it with intentional learning and regular reflection, write Lauren Lyon (University of California) and Amruta Inamdar (Purdue University). Many students, they note, treat these experiences with a “checklist mentality”—completing internships and co-ops without pausing to consider how the work connects to their long-term goals. Lyon and Inamdar encourage a shift toward self-awareness, transferable skills, and meaningful growth. To support this approach, they offer practical strategies such as journaling prompts, résumé updates, and post-internship meetings with mentors. “By embracing these principles of intentional learning,” they write, “you not only enhance the value of your immediate experience but also cultivate a mindset for continuous growth and adaptability.”
