Shana Stine, a junior liberal studies major at UIS, spent a part of her summer last year volunteering for an orphanage in Kenya. Shana has now created Jump for Joel to assist the children with food, education and more. She is using Project AST 301 to earn acadecmic credit while organizing Jump for Joel. Read about Shana and her experience here:
http://www.uis.edu/newsbureau/featurestory/2008/03/students-volunteer-trip-moves-her-to.html
Contact the AST program to find out how to create a Project AST.
ast@uis.edu
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield has long been an exceptional placement for UIS students.
The Boys and Girls Clubs presents a variety of learning opportunities for UIS undergrads. For communication major Audra Roach, this opportunity presented experiential learning in the areas of planning, organizing and executing fundraising events, as well as managing database information and assisting with marketing activities.
Audra chose to complete an Applied Study Term because of the real-life experience it would afford her. “It would make me more marketable when searching for jobs after graduation because I would have experience in the field I have studied.”
Some of the most important lessons Audra learned dealt with real-world environments as opposed to her previous experiences within the academic arena. These presented special challenges for Audra on a personal and professional level. “I design publications for the club, and in all my art classes, my professors always give positive feedback and constructive criticism. However, when you are creating materials that are being printed and represent an organization, the editing process is not as emotionally sensitive. I had to get over the fact that my work would be edited and altered, in order to make it the best it can be.”
By applying theory to practice, Audra was able to hone her present skills while enhancing her knowledge base. "The most important thing I have been able to do was interact with the people that benefit from my work, the kids of the club.”
“When I started my internship, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do career-wise. Working at the club opened up the world of development to me. I had never considered event planning, because I had never had an opportunity to do something of that nature. I hadn’t even thought about making this a career, and now I have!”
Learn about Experiences according to Fields of Study (pdf files):
