Inaugural Experiential Education Fairs Inspire Student Future-Focus

Cassandra Thomas

Students, staff and faculty celebrated experiential learning in the heart of campus, spread throughout three distinct areas of the Arkansas Union. On Sept. 12, the HIP Collaborative, the Offices of Career Connections and the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange co-hosted the inaugural Experiential Education Fair. Plans are underway to host the event again on Feb. 13, 2024. 

Students easily moved between each section of the three-part fair, exploring future careers and current internship opportunities, interacting with high-impact practices in its Show and Tell for students and discovering ways to engage with the world outside of the Fayetteville classroom through faculty-led study abroad programs, the U of A's Rome Center, exchange and external programs totaling nearly 50 countries accessible to students.  

"We were thrilled to partner with Career Connections and Study Abroad for this first-ever experiential education fair," said Deb Korth, assistant dean of student success. "Accessing high-impact practices is critical to student learning and to creating a culture of learning."  

"This was the best attended all-careers fair we have hosted, and it was a particularly important moment for students early in their academic careers who learned that this fair will be taking place regularly throughout their time at the U of A," said Erica Estes, assistant vice chancellor and executive director of career connections.  

Students visited with representatives of 70 organizations from a wide array of industries to learn about internships, potential career options and networking with professionals. "Demystifying the post-graduation career world helps students make connections between their coursework and future career prospects," Estes said.  

"In a student-centered campus like ours, the importance of combining the efforts of these offices — in the heart of campus no less — demonstrates the campus commitment to student success and engagement," said Sarah Larson Malloy, director of study abroad and international exchange. "Each facet of the experiential education fairs invited students to make connections between their learning in Fayetteville and beyond." 

Faculty, staff and students contributed to the success of the event through dedicated time and talent. For more about the HIP Collaborative, visit hips.uark.edu. For more about careers and internships, visit career.uark.edu. For more about the Office of Study Abroad & International Exchange, visit studyabroad.uark.edu.