Experiential Learning is the process of acquiring knowledge through hands-on activity and reflective observation of the activity and the experience of doing it.
Check out the exciting experiential learning opportunities being offered through the Center for Career and Leadership Development!
Student Job & Volunteer Fair
The Student Job and Volunteer Fair is intended for all students looking to work in a part-time capacity, volunteer, and/or connect with other experiential learning opportunities on or near campus. On campus and local community employers will be available to showcase opportunities for part-time jobs, and numerous campus, nonprofit, community, and government organizations will be on hand to share meaningful ways to engage in experiential learning and enhance your career skills through volunteering, mentorship, leadership, research, study abroad, and more! Make sure you are prepared to meet with employers and put your best foot forward by having your resume ready and meeting with a career coach.
The Fall and Spring Student Job and Volunteer Fairs are held within the first 4 weeks of classes.
Register on Handshake: Navigate to the “Events” tab and then go to the “Career fairs at your school” option to learn more about upcoming fairs, including currently registered employers/organizations, on Handshake!
Faculty/Staff & Employers:
Employers, Organizations, or Departments looking to recruit student talent? Contact the Experiential Learning team at experientiallearning@odu.edu to learn more about your recruitment options for this fair.
Greater Norfolk Corporation (GNC) Executive Mentorship Program
The Greater Norfolk Corporation's Executive Mentorship Program is designed to pair local professionals from a wide range of industries with motivated college students for both the fall and spring semesters, career-oriented mentorship. Students will have the opportunity to experience one-on-one mentoring with a local Norfolk-area professional, explore potential networking connections and opportunities for advice and support, and learn about career paths and gain insights into professional experiences in a business setting. Past mentors have come from a wide range of industries, with students directly connected with people such as the Chief Executive Officer of The Digital Builders, Chief Strategy Officer of YMCA of South Hampton Roads, Director of Community Engagement of Work Program Architects, and more.
All rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors are invited to apply for the 2025-2026 Greater Norfolk Corporation.
- One-on-One Mentoring - Students will have the opportunity to experience one-on-one mentoring with a local Norfolk-area professional.
- Networking Opportunities - Explore potential networking connections with the help of a mentor! Career-specific professionals can offer advice and support for our future professionals.
- Career Readiness - Students will work closely with mentors to gain professional experience in a business setting and learn more about their desired career path.
Past mentor industries have included:
- Education
- Law
- Architecture
- Finance
- Business Management
- Government
- Audio/Visual
- Health Science
- Engineering
- Arts
- Hospitality
The minimum monthly participation requirements include:
- Remaining in contact with your mentor and ODU facilitator
- Meet with your mentor once per month
- Attend 2 required networking/social events during your mentorship for you and your mentor to attend (opening ceremony and end-of-year ceremony), as well as optional professional development events and workshops for mentorship participants through ODU’s Center for Career and Leadership Development.
There will be three networking/social events during your mentorship for you and your mentor to attend (opening ceremony, winter celebration, and end-of-year ceremony), as well as optional professional development events and workshops for mentorship participants through ODU's Center for Career and Leadership Development.
Transportation will be provided to and from any off-campus events.
Application
The online application opens in July and closes in late August. Be prepared to answer questions related to your interest in participating in the program, short-term and long-term career goals, skill development and growth areas, and what you are looking for in a mentor.
In addition, a recommendation letter from an ODU faculty or community member addressed to “GNC Mentorship Program Coordinator” is required. After submitting your application, you will be contacted to schedule an informational interview.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the ODU Center for Career and Leadership Development at experientiallearning@odu.edu
Complete the online application by September 1, 2026
Job Shadow
The ODU Job Shadow program (coming soon) is designed to connect ODU students with employers in the community. Shadowing a professional provides students with an opportunity to explore career fields, gain insight into day-to-day operations, observe professionals in action, and build their professional networks by shadowing professionals on a single-day event. This program will be piloted during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) Internship Program
On-campus Federal Work-Study (FWS) internships are now available in the Fall and Spring semesters to provide hands-on learning experiences fostering career exploration and skills development. FWS Interns will work on assignments both independently and collaboratively to meet learning objectives and build networks for the future. Sites and responsibilities vary across the university.
Students:
Search and apply for FWS internship roles on Handshake! When searching available roles filter by ‘On Campus Student Employment’ and look for ‘FWS Internship’ in the position title.
Faculty/Staff & Employers:
Interested in creating a FWS internship position or converting a tradition FWS position into an internship? If you have a FWS position allocation, you can!
- Review the presentation on How to Elevate a FWS Job to an Internship
- Convert your position to an internship. Please see and download the template here to upload in your application.
- Review the expectations and complete the online application.