The Value of Real-World Experience During Your College Career

By: Reagan Young

SMAD 202 Media Arts and Design - Breeze TV Newsroom.

As you navigate your college career, the primary focus is often on excelling in coursework, getting good grades and preparing for graduation. While performing well academically is undeniably important, real-world experience is equally as important in shaping your future career. Whether it’s done through internships, part-time jobs, volunteering or student organizations (like Bluestone Communications), gaining hands-on experience during your time in college can set you apart from others in the job market and arm you with skills that textbooks can’t teach. 

Kick That Imposter Syndrome to the Curb 

As I begin my second semester as a Bluestonian, I can confidently say that gaining hands-on real-world experience before graduation is invaluable. For the first time in our educational careers, we have the opportunity to work directly with a small business owner who depends on us. Our work must be high quality; the clients deserve our best. This responsibility forces me to set aside distractions and focus solely on whatever task is at hand. Bluestone offers the ideal environment to ease into real-world experiences.

As student public relations practitioners, we benefit from the guidance of overseeing faculty who are ready to step in when needed. We also enjoy the freedom afforded by meaningful work. Despite our status as students, we are treated as experts in our field by clients, which significantly boosts confidence. This helps alleviate the common feeling of imposter syndrome that many face when entering the workforce. While some peers may enter their careers with an initial sense of self-doubt, we tackled it already. By the time we graduate, we’ll not only have the technical skills, but also developed the confidence to stand out in the professional world. 

Networking Opportunities 

If you’re a third-year college student or beyond, you’ve probably heard the advice that “networking is everything.” While it can feel like a tired cliche, it is also an absolutely essential truth. Gaining real-world experience is one of the best ways to connect with people who have access to valuable resources, industry knowledge, and a network of potential employers. Even if individuals aren’t directly hiring, they’re connected to friends, colleagues, or family members who are. You get the idea: it’s all about expanding your circle. 

In an organization like Bluestone Communications, networking takes on an even greater significance. Our role is to serve clients that are often community-oriented groups, which gives us the perfect opportunity to showcase our skills and build relationships with stakeholders. If clients and relevant stakeholders like what they see, that sets us up for success. These connections could be key to helping us in our future endeavors, whether that means offering advice, making introductions or even providing job leads down the road. It’s all about planting the seeds for opportunities that pay off after your time with the organization has ended. 

Enhancing Resumes  

In today’s competitive job market, standing out from the crowd is essential. When you apply for a job, you’re often up against hundreds (if not thousands) of other candidates who, like you, are freshly out of college, equipped with a bachelor’s degree in hand. That’s where real-world experience becomes a game changer. Not only does it enhance your resume, but it also provides you with the substance needed to confidently ace interviews. It’s the difference between being just another candidate and someone who stands out as a practical, valuable asset. 

Showcasing hands-on experience signals to employers that you’ve already overcome challenges and have the resilience and technical knowledge needed to succeed. Employers value candidates who can apply what they’ve learned in practical settings. That experience signals that you’re not just capable of critical thinking, but can effectively implement and execute in fast-paced environments. 

Your real-world experiences are more than just a bullet point on your resume. They’re a testament to your readiness and potential to thrive in a future role!