9 Fantastic Benefits of Work-Integrated Learning

In today's world, university isn't just about earning a degree. It's also about preparing for the working world after graduation.

But how do you manage that alongside exams, essays, presentations, group projects, part-time jobs, social events and everything else students usually have to juggle?

One innovative solution is Work-Integrated Learning (WIL). Work-Integrated Learning is a programme specifically built into your degree and counted towards your final qualification.

Work-Integrated Learning is booming in higher education — as universities partner and stay connected with businesses to create placements specifically for students, giving them valuable work experience and letting them apply what they've learned on the job.

At Universidad Tecmilenio, for example, every degree programme offers Work-Integrated Learning, which so far has been a real success. To learn more about Work-Integrated Learning and the benefits it brings, we spoke with four Universidad Tecmilenio students.

The chance to work in a real business environment

Stepping out of the lecture hall and into a real workplace is undeniably refreshing.

Industrial engineering student Joselin Alejandra Eras Sánchez is doing her Work-Integrated Learning in the pharmaceutical industry.

"The opportunity to work here is incredible," she says. "The environment and the company are always looking for opportunities to develop talent and professionals, so I'm satisfied no matter how big or small the activities and tasks they give me."

Work-Integrated Learning ultimately gives you a varied learning experience that the classroom can't describe, producing a real positive impact on students. By strengthening the overall experience, Work-Integrated Learning helps students see how to apply what they learn to real-world settings.

It builds your awareness and understanding of workplace culture

Having worked as a waiter at a local café or restaurant, or as a sales assistant at a clothing store, you probably already have a decent sense of what workplaces can be like. But having the chance to work in the industry you aspire to after graduating is brilliant.

Industrial engineering student Luis Daniel Rojas López told us how he believes his Work-Integrated Learning experience has benefited him personally and professionally.

"Having work experience during my studies helps me understand the concepts I learn in class and apply them to real-world scenarios."

"It has also helped me become more responsible and understand that every decision has consequences."

"Another advantage is that it has helped me understand why the teamwork we practise in class every day is so important — because it's closely tied to how an organisation works."

It builds your soft skills and strengthens your theoretical knowledge

Hard study means learning to work. Work-Integrated Learning gives you essential workplace abilities, along with a wealth of soft and technical skills that wouldn't necessarily develop outside a professional environment.

Marketing student Andrea Alejandra Ponce de León Barba says: "It's been a very complete experience for me."

"This semester gave me the chance to put everything I learned at school into practice."

"It's a fun way to learn, and it's special to have a company support and guide you into the world of work. The knowledge we gain from this kind of learning is something no book can give us."

It helps you manage future career aspirations and decisions

A huge benefit of Work-Integrated Learning is that it helps you decide which future career paths you might (or might not) want to pursue after graduation.

Joselin says: "Being able to understand and work with professionals of high calibre and vision has made me think about the future, and reflect on who I am now and who I want to be in the years to come."

Through Work-Integrated Learning, you can genuinely get to know your field and have the chance to explore new and exciting roles you may not previously have considered.

It can boost your employment prospects

Students who take part in Work-Integrated Learning are often seen as top picks thanks to their prior experience and industry connections.

You'll build a thriving network

Building an industry network is a core part of working life. From colleagues to clients, you'll meet a wide range of people from all walks of life, so being able to diversify your social circle will benefit you enormously.

Andrea told us that one of her favourite aspects of her Work-Integrated Learning experience was meeting the colleagues and interns she worked with: "There are so many different people in the network with different views on life. I learned a lot from the conversations I had with the people near me and even other interns."

It builds your awareness of global challenges and industry issues

When it comes to understanding the world of work and industry, there's no better method than jumping straight into the working world.

"From the moment I started to see how the industry operates, it changed the way I learn at school," says mechatronics engineering student Rolando Herrera Morteo.

"It's easier for me to see how theory applies to the real world, not just completing and understanding my activities, but also being able to contribute to real situations."

It broadens your horizons

An invaluable benefit of combining work and study is that you will inevitably meet and work with a wide variety of people. They all bring their own wealth of knowledge, experience and skills to the workplace. As you collaborate with colleagues, you'll find yourself engaging in discussions and learning to think about particular issues differently.

"On a professional level, I've learned a lot about the importance of teamwork," says Andrea.

"Our responsibilities complement each other. That's why understanding one another, maintaining good communication, and mutual respect and support are so important."

You can have a positive impact and provide solutions to real-life problems

Students are able to provide solutions to real problems in the businesses they work with, so it's not only students who benefit.

"At school they taught me all the theory of how to do things. Now I'm applying all that knowledge in real life to solve real problems and help push the industry forward," says Joselin.