Gain Experience: Try It Out and Learn by Doing
One of the most powerful ways to grow is through experiential learning—opportunities that help you apply what you’re learning in real-world settings. Whether through an internship, research project, study away program, or on-campus job, these experiences help you build skills, clarify goals, and prepare for what’s next.
Need Help Choosing the Right Experience?
Talk with a Career Coach to explore your options and decide what kind of experience fits your goals, schedule, and learning style.
Viking Score: Experience Activities
The Viking Score is Augustana College’s career-readiness program to support students through college and post-graduate life by tracking experiences and awarding points to earn incentives along the way. Learn more about Viking Score.
These activities help you apply your learning, reflect on your growth, and move closer to career success. Points are earned for participating, reflecting, and completing required steps.
An integral part of achieving career success includes Gaining Experience. CORE was created to make the process of finding and completing what are often referred to as High Impact Practices or Experiential Learning possible. Examples of experiential learning include Internships, Student Research, Study Away, EDGE Center activities, Volunteer and Community Service, and Student Employment.
These activities have been proven to move students through the first step of career development referred to as preparation.
Viking Score points are awarded for a mix of individual activities that may include worksheets, reflections with your Career Coach, or skill-building experiences.
🔹 Signature Experience Activity | 6-20 Viking Score Points
Complete an Internship, Study Away, or Student Research experience (consider using your Augie Choice) and process & reflect with your Career Coach. Six points for Registered Internships will automatically be added. An additional 14 points will be added once additional activities and reflections are completed and discussed with a career coach.
🔹 Action Plan for Experiential Learning | 6 Viking Score Points
Not sure which type of experience is right for you? Start with this guided worksheet to clarify your goals and determine the best path forward—internship, research, or study away. Download the Action Plan Worksheet (PDF), then Schedule a Career Coach Appointment to Earn Full Points.
🔹 Prepare for finding an internship, study away, or research experience | 2-6 Viking Score Points based on activities
Before exploring options, take a moment to prepare for your experiential learning search by completing the activities in Preparation.