Reflection matters because experiences that you have as a student at UNT go beyond the grades received for completing coursework. Each experience you have builds on the last to make your individual college experience unique and sets you apart from the others! Creating opportunities to reflect on experiences helps students find personal and professional meaning in education as well as an opportunity to articulate learning across contexts.
Career Connect has a strong foundation in experiential learning, or the idea of “learn by doing,” because students are exposed to so many opportunities inside and outside of the classroom where learning occurs. UNT students participate in many influential learning opportunities like study aboard, internships, volunteer work, and collaborative learning---and it can be easy for students to draw connections when engaged in this type of work because it is often inspired out of student interest!
Reflection becomes more critical when students are engaged in required courses or experiences. UNT students must complete common experiences that seem less connected to their future… but when given the opportunity to reflect, students are able to find more purpose in these common experiences.
Regardless of a student’s major, when students are given a chance to reflect, they can answer the big questions, like:
- What did you learn about yourself through this experience?
- What are you taking away from this experience?
- How does this apply to your future?
- Why does this matter?