Experiential learning
What’s the difference between service learning, job shadowing, and internships?
As a student in the Piper Servant Leader Network, you’ll get real-world experience working with nonprofit organizations. But not every experience looks the same. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand the differences and how each one helps you grow.
Service learning is more than volunteering — it's an educational experience that connects meaningful community service with what you're learning in the classroom. You'll work with a local nonprofit, reflect on your experiences, and explore how your service relates to social issues and course concepts.
In PSLN:
- You’ll take NLM 160: Voluntary Action and Community Leadership
- Complete 30 hours of service with a nonprofit in Maricopa County
- Reflect and apply your experience through course assignments
What you’ll gain:
- A deeper understanding of how nonprofits contribute to our community
- Practical experience and transferable skills
- Greater self-awareness, empathy and civic purpose
Job shadowing gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how nonprofit organizations really work. You’ll spend time observing a local nonprofit team in action, seeing how programs are run, decisions are made and services are delivered.
It’s a chance to explore how your major and skill set might align with the needs of the community and how different roles contribute to a mission-driven organization.
In PSLN:
- You’ll take NLM 160: Voluntary Action and Community Leadership
- Complete 10 hours of job shadowing with a nonprofit in Maricopa County
- Reflect and apply your experience through course assignments
What you’ll gain:
- Insight into how nonprofits operate and serve the community
- A clearer sense of how your skills could contribute, as a volunteer, donor, board member or future employee
- Opportunities to observe, ask questions and connect with nonprofit professionals.
Internships are hands-on, longer-term experiences where you become part of a nonprofit team. You’ll take on real projects, contribute to the organization’s mission and apply what you’ve learned in a professional setting.
Internships are a chance to deepen your engagement, grow your skills, and explore how you can make an impact, whether through a career or lifelong involvement in the nonprofit sector.
In PSLN:
- You’ll take NLM 220: Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations and internship credits
- Complete a 1-3 credit hour internship with a nonprofit in Maricopa County
- Reflect and apply your experience through course assignments
What you’ll gain:
- Experience working on real issues that matter to the community
- Develop stronger professional skills like communication, project management and teamwork
- Gain a competitive edge through hands-on experience and expand your professional network within the nonprofit sector