Overview
How do you market yourself to future employers without experience?
Experiential learning or project-based learning is a great way to gain new skills while boosting your professional brand and marketable experience. Experiential learning teaches knowledge and skills through real-world study and resolution of complex issues, problems and challenges in close collaboration with business and non-profit partners.
McMaster Continuing Education in partnership with Riipen, an online marketplace that connects learners with companies to work on real-life projects, offers a variety of courses that combine theory with real-world projects to give you hands-on, ready-to-work experience.
- Get the opportunity to collaborate with businesses or non-profits on real-world projects
- Apply your knowledge and develop valuable skills while connecting and networking with industry professionals
- Receive feedback from real companies and build your project portfolio to showcase your work to future employers
Information Box Group
Highlights Learn More
- Build and nurture your professional network
- Gain experience working on real-world projects
- Market yourself using Riipen experience to future employers
Experiential learning features:
- No final exam
- Build and nurture your professional network by engaging with large multinationals, local businesses, non-profits, governments, etc.
- Gain experience working on real-world projects with industry professionals
- Market yourself using Riipen experience to future employers
Riipen project-based learning can benefit your personal growth in:
Learning outcomes Learn More
- Learn to collaborate effectively with others
- Build and develop in-demand employable skills to be job-ready
- Learn and practice soft skills such as communication and problem-solving
Check out this video to learn more about Riipen experiential learning
Frequently Asked Questions
It will be indicated on the course outline. You should also double-check with your instructor during the first week of class.
Courses with an experiential learning project will not have a final exam. Remember to check your course outline and schedule to confirm course requirements during your first week.
No. The project is meant to mimic a real-world project, where most people work in teams. The projects are also set up as group projects to minimize the workload for students.
Course instructors are there to ensure that students have a great experience. There are a number of check-ins with your instructor throughout the project to make sure everything is running smoothly.
A typical project will be worth approximately 40% of your grade broken down as follows:
- 5% Group Project
- 10% Progress Report
- 20% Final Report
- 5% Peer Evaluations
Your course instructor will confirm the evaluation.
Group projects online are meant to mirror today’s virtual workforce. Instructors will place you into groups. The course LMS (Learning Management System) is equipped with a discussion board area for group members to collaborate. Some groups will choose to meet on other channels if all members agree.
You can find more information about Riipen here. Your instructor will also provide you with detailed instructions for accessing your school portal and finding your course project.
Riipen Level UP is a Government-sponsored opportunity that gives you access to short-term, remote projects you choose, where you’ll meet potential employers and earn work experience alongside a supportive community of Canadian students. Learn more about Riipen Level UP here.
