There is a growing expectation that learning should extend beyond theory.
Not in the abstract.
Not through simulation alone.
But through real responsibility, real stakeholders, and real consequences.
The question is no longer whether learners should gain practical experience. It’s how meaningful that experience actually is.
The recent internship experience with Jam Up! of Candela Perez Castellanos from Warren Wilson College offers a compelling example of this shift in action.
▶ Candela Perez Castellanos Reflection: Learning Through Real Responsibility
The Difference Between Participation and Ownership in Internships
Not all experiential learning experiences create the same outcomes.
Participation allows learners to see how work happens.
Ownership requires them to carry responsibility for outcomes.
In this case, Psychology student Candela Perez Castellanos was entrusted with work that directly contributed to a live autism support app.
One of her core responsibilities was supporting the development of a new “Pack Your Bag” task scheduled for release to users.
This distinction matters. When work is destined for real use, expectations shift. Research must be rigorous. Communication must be professional. Decisions carry weight.
Ownership changes how learning is internalised.
Applied Research as a Learning Engine
A defining feature of this internship was the emphasis on research-led contribution, not task execution alone.
Candela’s work involved:
- Designing and distributing surveys
- Analysing qualitative responses
- Conducting interviews with mental health professionals
- Engaging with parents of autistic children
- Synthesising insights into recommendations relevant to product development
This required her to move between theory and practice repeatedly, applying academic understanding of autism while adapting to the realities surfaced through lived experience.
Crucially, research did not end as reflection. It informed decisions.
That feedback loop: research → insight → application, is where applied learning becomes durable.
Perspective Development: The Hidden Outcome of Applied Learning
Technical skills are measurable. Perspective is harder to quantify, but no less important.
Through interviews and direct engagement, Candela encountered the complexity of autism beyond diagnostic frameworks.
She reflects on learning what it means to be autistic, what it means to be a parent navigating that reality, and how social stigma continues to shape experiences.
This type of learning cannot be delivered through simulation alone.
It emerges when learners are guided into real conversations with real people, where empathy, professionalism, and ethical awareness are essential.
Why Professional Context Matters
Applied learning gains depth when it is grounded in professional practice.
As part of her research, Candela independently interviewed an occupational therapist with extensive experience working with autistic children and families.
These conversations ensured that insights were informed by real clinical and educational contexts, not assumptions.
▶ Expert Interview: Translating Professional Insight Into Learning
This kind of engagement introduces learners to professional standards, terminology, and ethical considerations early, shaping not just competence, but professional identity.
Designing Applied Learning That Works
What differentiates this experience is not the sector or the role, but the structure behind it.
Effective applied learning tends to share several characteristics:
1. Real Consequence
Work contributes to outputs that matter beyond assessment.
2. Structured Research
Learners are taught how to gather, analyse, and interpret insight responsibly.
3. Stakeholder Engagement
Learning includes interaction with professionals and end users, not just internal teams.
4. Feedback and Reflection
Ongoing guidance ensures learning is iterative, not transactional.
When these elements are present, applied learning becomes a mechanism for developing capability, not just confidence.
Beyond Skills: Preparing for Complexity
Experiences like this develop a range of competencies simultaneously:
- Research literacy
- Professional communication
- Stakeholder interviewing
- Ethical reasoning
- Adaptability and judgment
More importantly, they prepare learners for complex, ambiguous environments, the kind they will encounter beyond graduation.
This is where applied learning moves from enhancement to necessity.
Rethinking the Role of Experiential Learning
As learning pathways evolve, experiential learning is increasingly expected to do more than supplement academic content. It is being asked to:
- Reinforce academic understanding through application
- Build professional capability early
- Expose learners to real-world complexity
- Support a clearer career direction
This case demonstrates that when applied learning is intentionally designed, it can meet all of these expectations, without sacrificing academic depth.
Rethinking How Applied Learning Is Designed
When learners are trusted with meaningful work and supported through structured, real-world engagement, learning becomes something they actively do, not something that simply happens to them.
If you’re interested in creating applied learning experiences that connect learners with real projects, real organisations, and real outcomes, you can explore how this model works in practice.