Georgia Southern Career Services and Gulfstream Partner to Bring Experiential Learning to Students

July 1, 2015

In order to bring more internships, apprenticeships and other experiential learning opportunities to Georgia Southern students, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation awarded $75,000 to fund a University staff member dedicated to this task. The Savannah-based company partnered with Georgia Southern’s Office of Career Services last year to establish an assistant director of experiential learning, who would serve as the central point of contact for employers interested internships for University students and work to create a culture among faculty and students where experiential learning is an expectation. The Office hired Jason Pollett to the position, and has since seen the program grow by leaps and bounds. In addition to setting up tools for corporations to find and connect with faculty and students, the program has exponentially increased the number of students placed in experiential learning opportunities. Before the institution of the program, in 2013, Career Services placed 1,353 students in co-ops, internships, and full-time and part-time work positions. After instituting the program and the hiring of Pollett, the Office has placed 3,973 students in these positions as of June 19, 2015. In addition to growing student opportunities in experiential learning, the Office has seen an increase in the number of registered employers attending career fairs and events on campus. From the career events in 2013-2014 to 2014-2015, an additional 134 employers met with job-seeking students at Georgia Southern events. The Office says they are working to continue this growth and provide even more opportunities for students in the future, and look forward to continuing this worthwhile endeavor with Gulfstream.