How Sustained Service-Learning Experiences Inform Career Pathways

Abstract

Developing values, interests, and skills for future careers, an important part of career development, is an outcome alumni perceive from participation in service-learning. Using in-depth interviews, this qualitative study of 33 alumni from three service-learning programs suggests rich connections between sustained service-learning experiences (i.e., course-based community engagement programs lasting two or more consecutive terms) and career decisions. More specifically, alumni perceive their engagement in service-learning as facilitating exploration of career possibilities connected to public service and social responsibility.