Introduction: The Importance of Industry-Relevant Curriculum
Are you interested in earning a relevant college degree? You should look for a college program with an industry-relevant curriculum to provide you with practical skills.
Why an industry-relevant program of study? Skills-based hiring is on the rise, wherein employers hire based on practical skills. However, most employers still use degree-based hiring because of its continued relevance. This is particularly true in specialized fields, such as medicine, engineering, and law.
Indeed, college degrees are still valuable despite the rise in skills-based hiring. If you’re sitting on the fence, you shouldn’t. Earning a college degree brings many benefits. These include personal and professional growth.
Featured Programs
What can you do to be competitive in skills-based and degree-based hiring opportunities? Enroll in a college program with an industry-relevant curriculum.
Build a solid theoretical foundation. Learn practical skills for the workplace. Achieve both at the same time. Think of it as a win-win situation where you’re the ultimate winner.
Related Articles:
- Career Services: Top Colleges for Job Placement Support
- The Future of Education: Online College Work-Study Programs and Their Impact on Career Development
- Enhancing Your Resume: The Value of Work-Study Programs at Online Colleges
What Is an Industry-Relevant Curriculum?
This enables students to gain industry-specific knowledge and skills. Students create a strong foundation for career advancement through education. College programs for working professionals are the best for this purpose.
What are the main features of an industry-relevant program of study? Here are its common characteristics.
- Aligns with current industry standards
- Emphasizes practical skills development
- Encourages soft skills development
- Incorporates current and emerging technologies
- Offers professional certifications
How do universities ensure that their academic programs have industry-relevant curricula?
- Establish industry partnerships for internship, apprenticeship, and co-op programs. Invite experts to serve on industry advisory boards.
- Hire faculty members with extensive industry experience.
- Allow students to use state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.
- Perform regular curriculum reviews and updates.
How can you determine if a college program has a curriculum relevant to an industry? Sometimes, you only need to ask current students and alumni. But it also pays to do your research. You can also use the above characteristics for comparison.
What are some notable examples of universities with industry-relevant academic programs?
Purdue University
The Polytechnic Institute uses a competency-based learning model. Students learn hard and soft skills through hands-on projects. Graduates have relevant technical competencies and transferable skills for a thinking economy.
Students develop personalized programs of study, as well. Studio and seminar learning are common. Students build their e-portfolios, which highlight their competencies.
Stanford University
The Hasso Plattner Institute of Design features a design thinking-centric curriculum. Industry experts developed this curriculum. Students work on real-world projects that address current issues.
Northeastern University
Northeastern takes pride in its 115-year success in cooperative education. Classroom studies and professional learning experiences are the keys to its success. Students alternate between being full-time students and full-time employees in their respective fields. Northeastern has an extensive international network of corporate partners.
University of Cincinnati
The College of Engineering and Applied Science Co-op Program has a similar format. Students alternate between classroom studies and paid full-time jobs. There are five co-op positions available, and students earn money from them. The average earnings are $61,000 that students keep. With each co-op position, students can determine whether it’s right for them or not.
California Polytechnic State University
Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing program enables students to become part of the solution. Students take part in finding solutions for the world’s most pressing issues. Climate change, entrepreneurship, and technology are popular topics. Students engage in hands-on learning opportunities, usually in the field. Project-based learning complements internships and laboratory work.
Practical Skills for the Workplace
Hard and soft skills development occurs in every course in college. The trick is to be aware of the opportunities for skills development.
Making a presentation in front of your classmates develops your public speaking skills. Engaging in class discussions and debates develops your critical thinking and communication skills. Leading group projects results in better leadership and collaboration skills.
And then there are the real-world applications in college courses, particularly related to technical skills. Hands-on learning in college is an excellent way to develop practical skills with real-world applications.
There’s a direct link between college courses and career success. Here are a few examples of these college courses and their practical related skills.
| Skills Learned | Relevant Courses | Hands-on Learning Activities |
| Communication skills | – Technical Writing – Business Communication – Creative Writing – Public Speaking | – Individual presentations – Public speaking – Business report writing – Business plans development |
| Problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking skills | – Logic Business – Case Studies | Strategic plan development Case studies analysis Class debates |
| Collaboration, teamwork, and leadership skills | – Team Dynamics – Principles of Leadership – Organizational Behavior – Group Psychology | – Group projects – Group research – Team-building exercises and events |
| Analytical thinking and research skills | – Introduction to Research – Research Methods – Quantitative and Qualitative – Research Statistics | – Conduct of research projects – Datasets analysis – Writing research reports |
| Management skills | – Strategic Management – Human Resource Management | – Leadership plan development – Being a leader in team projects |
| Computer science skills | – Introduction to Computer Science – Programming Languages – Database Management | – Coding projects – IT systems management – Prototype development |
| Nursing clinical skills | – Community Health – Nursing – Critical Care – Pediatric Nursing – Obstetric and Neonatal Nursing | – Taking vital signs – Administering medications – Performing simple diagnostic tests – Working with other healthcare professionals |
| Engineering skills | – Engineering Design and Graphics – Mechanics of Materials – Materials Science and Engineering – Thermodynamics – Fluid Mechanics | – Capstone design projects – Laboratory sessions Workshops – Internships Participation in co-op programs |
| Teaching skills | – Classroom Management – Literacy Instruction – Instructional Strategies – Special Education Methods | – Practicum or field experience in rural areas – Supervised student teaching in K-12 classrooms |
Always be on the lookout for practical skills development opportunities in and out of the classroom. You will find that, indeed, every lesson applied in the real world builds up your professional competencies. After graduation, you’re part of the army of job-ready college graduates.
How College Programs Help with Career Advancement
These benefits of a college education for career growth are the best reasons to pursue it. Plus, you will love the extensive range of college programs available. You will find a college program that meets your interests and goals, no matter how unconventional it may be.
Enhance your knowledge and skills according to current standards and demands.
Being more competitive and productive in the workplace means staying up to date. College programs provide up-to-date industry-relevant knowledge and skills for this purpose.
Earning an advanced degree boosts your employability for leadership positions. Think of an MBA or other master’s degree in your field.
Expand your connections.
College programs provide excellent opportunities to meet new people and expand your network. Your peers, professors, and industry professionals can provide job recommendations and referrals. Networking also grows your personal brand and opens up career mentorship opportunities.
The more connections you have, the more ideas about job openings you can get. In fact, about 85% of positions filled were through networking. You want to get first dibs on a career advancement opportunity through your contacts.
Stand out from the competition.
Make your resume stand out through industry-specific professional certifications and advanced degrees. These highlight your commitment to continuing professional development. Employers appreciate individuals willing to learn, adapt, and lead innovations.
Gain access to career development resources.
College programs usually offer career development services from day one. Job placement assistance, job fairs, and resume-building workshops are common. Many even offer mock interviews. Career coaches may also be present for one-on-one coaching. These preparations can improve your chances of getting your desired promotion or dream job.
The Benefits of Hands-On Learning
Hands-on learning is also known as practical learning or experiential learning. No matter the term used, it involves learning through active participation, direct experience, and practical tasks.
Of course, theoretical learning has its place in academic and career success. However, hands-on learning has its advantages over theoretical learning.
Improved engagement
You’re more likely to focus on the task at hand and, thus, learn more from it. This is especially true if you’re a kinesthetic learner. You learn best when you’re engaged in physical activities and when you can touch things.
Increased retention
Hands-on learning effectively bridges the gap between theory and practice. You may understand the theory, but hands-on learning brings a real-world dimension to it. Practical learning adds depth to your breadth of knowledge, too.
Increased confidence in your abilities
There’s something more satisfying about holding tangible evidence of your knowledge and skills. When you’re more confident about your abilities, it can spill over into other areas of your life.
Of course, the foremost benefit of hands-on learning is practical skills development. You’re not just book-smart but also workplace-ready.
College programs adopt various hands-on learning methods.
- Capstone projects that provide solutions for real-world issues
- Laboratory sessions, including experiments
- Internships and apprenticeships
- Real-world projects under the supervision of industry professionals
- Studios and workshops
- Cooking demonstrations
- Clinical rotations
In these situations, you have excellent opportunities to prove that, indeed, you can translate knowledge into skills.
Conclusion: The Value of Practical Knowledge from College
Earning a college degree through an industry-relevant academic program brings many benefits, including:
- Robust theoretical foundation
- Practical skills development
- Update your knowledge and skills
- Enhanced career advancement opportunities
- Broader networking opportunities
- Earn industry-relevant credentials
- Improved job relevance, productivity, and security
With all these benefits, now is the perfect time to consider earning a college degree. If you’re a working professional, you can return to school, too. Earn professional credentials, such as the latest certifications.
You will find that college is an excellent place for lifelong learning, too. Gaining practical knowledge from college satisfies your thirst for lifelong learning. It’s a positive cycle that brings personal and professional fulfillment.