Bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills is key to career success. When you apply what you’re learning in the classroom to real-world challenges, you sharpen your ability to make informed decisions and contribute meaningfully at work.
Today’s employers value professionals who think critically, solve problems, and adapt to changing environments. By gaining hands-on experience while you study, you’re not just preparing for a job—you’re setting yourself up for long-term success, both personally and professionally.
Bridging academia and industry
Overview of academic preparation
Academic disciplines are structured to align with the needs of specific industries by integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application. For example, engineering programs emphasize mathematics, physics, and hands-on laboratory work to prepare you for problem-solving in fields like aerospace, civil infrastructure, and technology development. Similarly, business programs incorporate case studies, market simulations, and data analytics to sharpen skills essential for corporate decision-making and economic strategy. These types of specialized educational structures ensure that you enter the workforce with both foundational knowledge and industry-relevant expertise.
Industry expectations
The modern workplace increasingly demands a workforce with not only technical expertise but also adaptability, critical thinking, and collaborative skills. As a result, experiential learning opportunities like internships and industry partnerships are becoming more crucial as academic institutions commit to equipping graduates with both the technical competencies and the real-world acumen necessary for career success.
“A survey of Fortune 500 CEOs revealed that 75% of long-term job success is believed to depend on people (soft) skills, while only 25% depends on technical knowledge (hard skills), according to Stanford Research Institute International and the Carnegie Mellon Foundation. Also, a 2023 survey of employers conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers showed that 96% of employers rated communication as the most important competency they want their employees to have. Bethel’s academics are strong and prepare students well for the technical challenges they will face in the workplace as well as developing the communication skills they will need to collaborate within their organizations. These skills are developed through classroom discussions, reflection assignments, group projects, presentations, and internships.”
—Stan Thompson GS’21, Bethel’s director of vocation, pathways, and partnerships
Collaborations and partnerships
Many universities partner with industries or organizations and participate in co-op programs to enhance curriculum relevance and more effectively prepare students for their future career. For example, a university may collaborate with an area tech company to co-develop computer science curricula; work with a local church to provide students with ministry internship opportunities; or partner with a large business to allow students to alternate between full-time work and academic study.
At Bethel, a journalism writing class recently partnered with an online nonprofit news organization. Students had the chance to work one-on-one with the nonprofit’s editors to write real-life profiles and new stories that were then posted on the nonprofit’s website.
The importance of hands-on experience in college
Defining hands-on experience
Hands-on experience in college encompasses a wide range of opportunities that allow you to apply what you’re learning in the real world. This can include researching with a professor, conducting laboratory work, tutoring, volunteering, and participating in internships, among other experiences.
Benefits of practical experiences
- Hands-on experiences help refine your likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses, guiding you toward choosing a major, minor, and career path.
- They provide you real-world experience to hone a specialized skill set within a particular industry.
- You can strengthen soft skills that employers are looking for—communication, problem solving, collaboration, adaptability, and more.
- Real-world experiences can also directly lead to full-time employment.
“I am contacted regularly by employers (Bethel alumni and others) who know that our students are amazing and want them as interns and to hire them after they graduate. One employer told me about the great work one of our Bethel students did as an intern at his company and said, ‘Send me 10 more just like her!’ These kinds of conversations speak to the quality of our students and graduates.”
—Stan Thompson GS’21, Bethel’s director of vocation, pathways, and partnerships
Realizing your major’s potential
Practical application of academic knowledge
Your major can afford opportunities to apply specialized knowledge and skills in a particular field, but it can also offer you the chance to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability—qualities that are highly valued across all industries. For example, interning at a marketing firm doesn’t mean you have to go into marketing! The real-world experience will benefit you in whatever role you land in.
Success stories
- Journalism major Talia McWright interned at The St. Paul Pioneer Press during her senior year at Bethel. She was able to learn from seasoned reporters, ask questions about a career in journalism, and practice the skills she learned in her classes. At the end of her internship, the paper offered her a full-time job.
“My internship truly allowed me to explore reporting in ways I hadn’t before. I built a strong relationship with my editor and co-workers. They have a lot of experience and are fantastic at what they do. That meant that I could ask them all kinds of questions and apply their wisdom to my own experience.”
—Talia McWright ’24
- Eli Santelman ’25, a communication studies major, interned for three sports teams—the St. Paul Saints, Minnesota Vikings, and Minnesota Timberwolves—during his time at Bethel. He’s now taking what he learned and heading into a corporate marketing career.
“The internships have made me think more about what I want to do in the future and helped me realize what I am worth—what I can do with my education from Bethel.”
—Eli Santelman ’25
- As a double major in chemistry and biochemistry and molecular biology, Kailey Soller ’11 began doing lab work and research with her professor. Then she presented that research at national conferences. These hands-on experiences, along with an internship, helped her refine what she was interested in. She went on to graduate school and is now senior strategy, innovation, and business development manager at a clinical diagnostic company.
“I felt like the research I did at Bethel prepared me really well for my graduate program. I was equipped to handle the disappointments that come with experimenting.”
— Kailey Soller ’11
Engage with career services
Whether you’re a senior in high school or a senior in college, you can take steps today that will help you gain crucial hands-on experiences.
- The first place to start is your school’s career development office. They can provide personalized support, often helping you find internships that align with your interests and career goals, craft resumes that highlight the skills you’re honing, and practice interviewing.
“Our goal at Bethel is to make sure every student gets the support that they need to launch well once they graduate. Students have access to the Office of Career Development and Calling as soon as they start classes. They can find resources on our website as well as schedule appointments to meet with our career specialists. And through our Studio for Vocation and Calling, we can help students discover their interests, pick a major, write a resume, search for internships, prepare for interviews, connect with alumni, and more!”
—Stan Thompson GS’21, Bethel’s director of vocation, pathways, and partnerships
- Academic advisors and professors within specific programs often have connections to churches, nonprofits, businesses, and research opportunities. Sharing your interests and skills with them can open doors to valuable internships and other hands-on experiences.
- Your school’s alumni network can be a great resource. Attending networking events, career fairs, and alumni panels help you connect with potential employers.
- Online platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn and Handshake, help you search for internships, part-time jobs, and networking events in your area.
At Bethel, bring your values, faith, and knowledge into the real world through hands-on experiences. You’ll connect your learning and your future career—setting yourself up for personal and professional success. Explore Bethel’s Office of Career Development and Calling today.
