Experiential Learning: A Definitive Edge In The Job Market

Abstract

The value of experiential learning is explored as it has now become a given among educators and corporate leaders that a university must provide experiential learning programs such as internships; real-life cases in marketing research, advertising, etc.; and voluntary student participation in income tax preparation for the needy and elderly; and many additional types of programs to promote the application of learning and involvement with the world of work.  The paper presents one unique experiential learning program in complete detail—Student in Free Enterprise’s Walgreens Wrangle.  This is a twelve-university business strategy competition sponsored by the Students in Free Enterprise team at Southern Arkansas University that has the three-day involvement of managers of four major corporations.  This period of time to interact both professionally and socially with a corporate group has proven to be invaluable to business majors and provided them with many experiential learning experiences.