Before Covid turned our world upside down, launching a career after graduating college was full of challenges. The statistics surrounding college students failing to “launch” after college were surprising: over half remain unemployed or under-employed one year after graduation.For students who completed internships, launched their own projects, or studied abroad, their transitions are a bit smoother. But only a small subset of students get those opportunities, or can afford to take them.Now those statistics are even more grim. There has to be new and creative ways for students to cross the bridge from college to career. SO WHAT DID WE BUILD?The Experience Lab at Penn is a remote work/study program for any recent college grad to launch their next step with more clarity and confidence. We are building courses focused on relevant curriculum in trending jobs and combining them with a full-time field experience alongside a growing startup. Now, recent college grads can connect with peers and instructors, study a specific career path, and land their first job right after college.HOW IS IT GOING?We currently have over 30 fellows who’ll be completing our fall pilot program this month. It’s been incredible to see their confidence and skillset grow so quickly. Even amidst everything happening in the world, they’re soaring. The first curriculum tracks have been focused on Digital Marketing & Storytelling, and Business Development.WHAT'S NEXT?We just opened applications for our spring, summer, and fall 2021 cohorts. Learn more about becoming an Experience Lab Fellow and start the first phase of your application here: https://explab.sas.upenn.edu/All of this is part of making shifts to how higher education works. If we can continue to elevate the role of experience — making it a more credible, celebrated, and central part of how we learn — society’s young and fresh minds will have a better opportunity to focus on real challenges and great work at one of the most formative parts of their lives. This is a step in that direction.Thanks for being part of this. We hope to meet you soon.
