Experiential learning offers students invaluable opportunities to learn through real-world experiences. These moments provide a platform for students to imagine themselves in roles or environments they might never have considered, expanding their horizons and opening new possibilities. At the Johns Hopkins Life Design Lab, we give our students the chance to participate in our Intersession Career TREKS—2-3 week-long journeys where they immerse themselves in a particular career field. These treks allow students to connect course material to real-life industry experiences by traveling off-campus, often out of state, to engage with top employers. Beyond learning, these treks offer students an opportunity to build community, gain cultural awareness, strengthen problem-solving skills, and network with professionals who may offer future employment opportunities.
As valuable as these experiences are for students, they are equally transformative for the staff members who support these initiatives.
The Staff’s Role: Beyond Logistics to Active Learning
As staff members, our primary responsibility on these trips is to ensure everything runs smoothly. Whether we’re managing logistics, organizing catering, facilitating learning moments, or encouraging student engagement, these functions are critical to the success of the trip, there’s something even more impactful that often goes unnoticed: staff also have the chance to engage in experiential learning and personal growth by actively participating in the journey alongside the students.
The Benefits of Experiential Learning for Staff on Student Trips
1. Personal and Professional Growth
Stepping outside the routine of campus life provides staff with a chance to develop new perspectives and skills, experiences that might not come up in the everyday work environment. When staff travel with students, it challenges them to think differently, be more innovative, and adapt to new surroundings while connecting with students in ways that go beyond the classroom.
2. Collaborative Learning with Students
Staff members may have limited knowledge of a particular area being studied, but they have the opportunity to learn alongside students. As they accompany students, staff are immersed in the same environment, walking the floors, experiencing hands-on learning, and hearing insightful questions from students. This allows staff to gain valuable knowledge and imagine themselves in those areas while also supporting students’ growth. These shared learning moments are powerful, fostering deeper and more meaningful relationships between staff and students.
3. Strengthened Student-Staff Relationships
One of the most rewarding aspects of these experiences is the connection staff build with students outside the traditional campus setting. It’s fascinating to see students express their passions, whether they’re aspiring musicians, athletes, or artists, sometimes all in the same group. This exposure to the multifaceted nature of our students creates an environment where we see them in a new light, beyond their academic identity. For staff, this is an opportunity to connect with students on a human level, share moments of laughter, and even receive the ultimate compliment of being dubbed “cool” by our students. These moments create lasting memories that strengthen the bond between staff and students, reinforcing our shared mission of growth and learning.
The Mutal Power of Experiential Learning
Experiential learning doesn’t just enhance the student experience, it also creates an essential space for staff engagement and development. By participating in these trips, staff are not only witnesses to students’ growth but are also empowered to reflect on their own learning journey. As students gain insights into new industries, staff also experience the joy, excitement, and challenges that come with stepping outside the familiar. These shared experiences motivate staff to be more intentional in fostering innovative learning opportunities and supporting students’ exploration of their potential.
Experiential learning is more than just a teaching method, it’s a dynamic, evolving process that cultivates an environment where both students and staff can thrive. When staff are actively engaged in these transformative experiences, they not only help shape the future of students but also contribute to a more vibrant, innovative educational community.
