Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Career

Written by Jordan Levy, CEO & Co-Founder

November 3, 2025

Higher education today faces a growing skills gap between what graduates know and what employers need. Surveys show that many business leaders doubt recent graduates’ job readiness, in one 2023 poll, 40% of employers said new college grads are unprepared for the workforce, often citing deficits in work ethic, communication, and technical skills [1]. Over a third of hiring managers even admit to avoiding new graduates in favor of more experienced candidates [2]. This disconnect stems from differing priorities: universities have traditionally emphasized academic theory, while employers prioritize practical, transferable skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and professionalism [3]. The result is a notable gap between higher education outcomes and real-world workforce demands. Closing this gap is crucial not only for graduates’ career success but for employers and regional economies that depend on a skilled talent pipeline.

Experiential Learning as a High-Impact Solution

One proven way to address the skills gap is through experiential learning, an approach where students learn by actively engaging in real-world projects and professional environments. Rather than passively absorbing lectures, students apply classroom knowledge to dynamic, complex situations in partnership with actual organizations [4] [5]. This could take the form of industry-integrated projects, internships, apprenticeships, or live case studies embedded in courses. The common thread is hands-on problem-solving of authentic challenges, with mentorship and feedback from industry professionals along the way [6] [7].

Educators and researchers increasingly tout experiential learning as “essential for student success post-graduation.” By working on genuine problems faced by companies, students gain practical experience in their field, build a professional network, and even produce résumé-worthy accomplishments they can discuss in job interviews [5] [8]. Marymount University president Irma Becerra observes that learning through such tacit knowledge exchanges, via community engagement, faculty interaction, and peer collaboration, makes education “sticky,” meaning it stays with [students] forever [9]. In other words, experiential projects help students retain knowledge and see its relevance, in contrast to rote classroom learning.

Crucially, experiential learning focuses on cultivating the 21st-century skills employers demand. Students must communicate, collaborate in teams, think critically, and adapt creatively to deliver results on their projects [10] [11]. These so-called “soft skills”, often lacking in new grads, are deliberately exercised and strengthened through real-world practice. One literature review found that well-structured internships and project-based experiences significantly enhance students’ employability and skill development, especially in areas like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving [12] [13]. In effect, experiential learning bridges the gap between academic theory and workplace practice, aligning student preparation with actual job requirements.

Tangible Benefits for Students

For students, the impact of experiential learning experiences can be transformative. Research indicates multiple concrete benefits:

Better Career Outcomes: Students who participate in internships or project-based learning have more job offers and higher starting salaries on average than those who do not [14]. A recent analysis by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that graduates with experiential learning (especially paid internships) secured jobs more readily and earned significantly higher starting pay. Impressively, these advantages extend into the early career: young professionals with college experiential learning reported faster career progression, higher job satisfaction, and about ~$15,000 higher annual salaries compared to peers without such experience [15]. While correlation is not causation, the alignment is clear, real-world experience boosts workplace success.

In-Demand Skills Development: Experiential projects force students to develop the skills employers are clamoring for. By working on live problems, students practice effective communication (with team members and clients), teamwork and leadership, creative problem-solving, and time management in ways a classroom alone cannot mimic [16] [13]. They also gain technical and professional skills by using industry-standard tools and approaches on their projects [4] [17]. For example, CapSource-enabled projects require students to collaborate virtually using tools like Slack or Zoom, honing their digital communication abilities in addition to domain-specific skills [18]. Employers consistently cite that lack of real-work experience with such tools and soft skills is a top liability among new grads [19] [20], experiential learning directly targets this gap.

Higher Engagement and Academic Performance: Educators report that hands-on learning profoundly increases student engagement and motivation. The New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) found that experiential programs not only help students secure good jobs but also boost attendance and overall academic performance in the present [21]. Students become more invested in their education when they see real-world impact, which can translate into better persistence and completion rates. “This type of hands-on learning reaches students in a way that other learning may not,” notes NYSUT President Melinda Person, highlighting that authentic projects can re-energize disengaged learners [21]. In short, experiential learning often reignites students’ passion for their field by making education active and relevant.

Career Clarity and Confidence: Through industry-integrated projects, students can “test drive” potential careers and clarify their interests. Many experiential programs pair students with mentors and networking opportunities that broaden their professional connections [22]. Students often finish a project with a clearer sense of their career path and greater confidence in their abilities. In fact, over 80% of early-career professionals in one survey credited experiential learning with helping them build a useful professional network and mentorship relationships in their first jobs [22]. By graduation, these students have one foot already in the professional world.

Overall, the evidence is overwhelming that real-world learning experiences give students a measurable edge. They graduate with not just a degree, but a portfolio of accomplishments, a toolkit of skills, and a network of contacts, all of which contribute to improved employment prospects and career trajectories.

Impact on Academic Institutions and Communities

Experiential learning doesn’t just benefit students; it also advances the goals of higher education institutions and even broader economic development:

Improved Student Success Metrics: Institutions that integrate experiential learning often see gains in student retention and completion. Engaged students are more likely to persist to graduation. For instance, a recent study found schools with robust career-oriented programs saw a 20% higher graduation rate compared to those without such programs [23]. While this statistic comes from a secondary education context, it underscores a trend that likely holds in college: when learning is relevant and applied, students stick with it. Universities also find that showcasing hands-on learning opportunities can be a powerful recruitment tool to attract prospective students who are focused on career preparation.

Industry Partnerships and Funding: Building a structured experiential learning program often entails forging close partnerships with companies, nonprofits, and government organizations. These partnerships can yield benefits beyond student projects, such as research collaborations, philanthropy, and enhanced institutional reputation. Schools known for producing work-ready graduates can become talent pipelines that employers invest in. This aligns with many universities’ mission to serve as engines of innovation and workforce development in their regions.

Meeting Accreditation and Mission Goals: Accrediting bodies and educational associations increasingly emphasize “career readiness” as a key outcome for academic programs. Experiential learning is identified as a high-impact practice that contributes to career readiness and civic learning, which helps institutions demonstrate fulfillment of learning outcomes and mission objectives. For example, the AAC&U reports that 88% of higher ed institutions are now connecting experiential learning activities with aspects of career readiness in their curricula [24]. Colleges that lag in this area risk producing graduates who fall short of stakeholder expectations. Implementing project-based learning at scale helps universities stay accountable to the evolving definition of student success.

Workforce and Economic Development: Perhaps most notably for public institutions and policymakers, experiential learning programs contribute directly to workforce development and local economic growth. They ensure a stream of graduates with practical skills aligned to industry needs, which can help regions attract and retain businesses. As one education report put it, “Innovative, experiential learning can propel our economy forward, attracting new industries who know a skilled workforce awaits them.” [25] By training students in partnership with employers, colleges become active contributors to economic development strategies, addressing skills gaps in key industries and supporting entrepreneurship (many students in such programs go on to launch startups or bring innovation to local companies [26]). Policymakers and community leaders increasingly recognize these academic-industry collaborations as vital to competitiveness. In short, experiential learning is not just an educational innovation; it is a workforce pipeline strategy that benefits students, schools, employers, and economies alike.

CapSource: Scaling Experiential Learning Through Partnerships

While the benefits of experiential learning are clear, implementing these programs can be challenging. Sourcing real projects, managing faculty-industry collaboration, and tracking outcomes across potentially hundreds of students require significant effort. This is where CapSource provides a unique value proposition. CapSource is an education technology platform designed to bridge the skills gap at scale by connecting academia and industry in a streamlined, scalable way [27]. It offers a centralized solution for schools to design, manage, and assess project-based experiential learning programs efficiently [28].

CapSource’s approach has been shaped by extensive experience facilitating such partnerships. After conducting thousands of industry-integrated projects with hundreds of universities and corporate partners, CapSource developed a customizable platform that supports various program formats, from single-company capstone projects to multi-company internship programs [29] [30]. The technology handles the logistics (partner matching, project scoping, student onboarding, feedback collection, outcome tracking) so that educators can focus on teaching and mentorship. Any number of students, partners, projects, duration, or modality can be accommodated in the platform’s flexible architecture [31] [32], allowing schools to scale up experiential learning from a single class to an institution-wide initiative.

Educator Testimonial: “One of our main priorities is to make experiential learning accessible for all our students and faculty. Adopting the CapSource system has enabled us to better manage our growing network of industry partners so that we can effectively coordinate and track projects across all three of our colleges.”, Toby White, Former Director of Experiential Education, SUNY Potsdam (Lougheed Applied Learning Center)

This first-hand account illustrates how CapSource can embed experiential learning across an entire institution. By providing an organized digital environment, CapSource helped SUNY Potsdam scale up applied learning opportunities campus-wide, engaging multiple colleges and departments. The platform also dramatically reduces the administrative burden on educators. “I never used to have a summer, it was spent sourcing companies for projects and sorting out details in Excel. This platform has given me an environment to do everything I used to do manually. It has truly been a blessing!” admits Alice Obermiller, Former Director of Experiential Learning at Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, regarding CapSource. By automating and streamlining the matchmaking and project management process, CapSource frees faculty to focus on facilitating student learning rather than chasing down company contacts and juggling spreadsheets.

Beyond ease of use, CapSource brings a robust network of vetted corporate partners eager to engage with students. In Notre Dame’s MBA interterm program, for example, CapSource leveraged its extensive corporate connections and project design expertise to recruit 34 high-growth companies and nonprofits to host 41 real-world projects in a single week [33] [34]. Students in that program gained “valuable skills while delivering real outcomes for their host companies,” according to Notre Dame faculty [35]. This exemplifies the platform’s win-win philosophy: projects are designed to be impactful for both the students and the partner organizations [36]. Companies benefit from fresh ideas and early access to talent, while students benefit from mentorship and experience, an approach sometimes called “experiential hiring” when companies use projects to pre-vet future hires [37] [38].

At its core, CapSource helps academia and industry collaborate at scale in ways that would be difficult to coordinate manually. As CapSource’s founder Jordan Levy explains, there is a “universe of learning” outside the classroom, and CapSource’s mission is to open those doors for students in a meaningful, organized way [39]. The company’s model hinges on the belief that every student should have the chance to tackle real-world challenges before graduation. By serving as an intermediary and technology enabler, CapSource significantly lowers the barriers for schools to offer high-impact experiential programs. Even online and non-traditional students can be engaged, one dean noted how an industry-sponsored live case competition through CapSource allowed dispersed online students to work together and with faculty in a new, highly interactive way (an opportunity they greatly appreciated) in addition to solving a real nonprofit’s problem.

Importantly, CapSource’s impact is not limited to business education. Its platform supports projects across disciplines, from STEM research challenges to public sector consulting clinics, partnering with startups, large enterprises, nonprofits and government agencies alike [37]. This broad applicability helps universities infuse real-world learning in many programs, whether it’s an engineering capstone or a social impact field project. By standardizing the process and providing support, CapSource enables even smaller institutions or those without large corporate relations staffs to plug into experiential learning on par with bigger universities.

Looking at the big picture, CapSource offers a scalable way to produce career-ready graduates while strengthening academia-industry bonds. It exemplifies how technology and partnership can overcome the logistical hurdles of experiential education. As stated in a CapSource briefing, the platform’s exclusive network “connects top companies with faculty… to expose students to real-world challenges where they gain reference-worthy work experience and develop critical 21st century skills.” [40] This aligns perfectly with the needs highlighted by employers and the outcomes desired by educators and policymakers.

There’s No Better Time Than NOW To Get Started

In an era where career readiness is the new measure of university success, experiential learning has moved from a “nice-to-have” to a core educational strategy. The traditional lecture-based model alone is no longer sufficient to prepare students for rapidly changing workforce demands. By engaging students directly with real projects, colleagues, and mentors in the professional world, colleges can dramatically enhance student learning and employment prospects. The research is clear: graduates with substantial experiential learning under their belt are more likely to thrive in their early careers, they have the skills, confidence, and experience that set them apart in the job market [15] [21].

For colleges and universities, building these opportunities at scale is challenging but increasingly imperative. Platforms like CapSource are demonstrating that it’s possible to bridge the gap between classroom and career at scale, benefiting all stakeholders in the process. Students gain an education that truly prepares them for life after graduation; employers gain a pipeline of talent who can hit the ground running; institutions strengthen their outcomes and reputation; and communities enjoy economic growth fueled by a skilled, innovative workforce. Experiential learning thus represents a powerful convergence of educational and economic objectives, a way to align what we teach with what the world needs.

By investing in real-world learning partnerships, academic leaders can ensure their graduates are not among those struggling to adapt, but rather are the future-ready professionals that drive progress. As one experiential learning director put it, students are “eager to engage in activities that put their learning to immediate use in solving real and timely business challenges” [41]. It’s time for higher education to meet that eagerness with action. Embracing platforms and models that scale up experiential learning will equip the next generation with not just degrees, but experience, skills, and networks, the true ingredients of success in the modern economy.

Sources:

National Association of Colleges and Employers, “Impacts of Experiential Learning on the Gen Z Early Career Experience” [14] [15]
Frontiers in Education, Study on internships improving skills and employability [42] [13]
University Business, “40% of business leaders believe graduates aren’t prepared to work” [1]
Inside Higher Ed, “Why Aren’t College Grads Job-Ready?” (survey of 800 hiring managers) [2]
NYSUT United, “Hands-on learning builds creativity, connection and future workforce” [21] [43]
Forbes/Marymount Univ., “Future of Work in Higher Education” (President Becerra commentary) [9]
CapSource (About), “Bridging the Skills Gap at Scale” [27]; CapSource (Project-Based Learning page) [44] [45]
CapSource Press Release, Notre Dame partnership showcases experiential learning [41] [40]

[1] [19] 40% of business leaders believe graduates aren’t prepared to work

https://universitybusiness.com/40-of-business-leaders-believe-graduates-arent-prepared-to-work-are-they-right/

[2] [20] Why aren’t colleges getting students job-ready? (opinion)

https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/views/2024/07/29/why-arent-colleges-getting-students-job-ready-opinion

[3] [12] [13] [16] [42] Frontiers | The contribution of professional internships to the academic development of engineering and science students: a case study

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1563361/full

[4] [10] [17] [18] [29] [37] What is Experiential Learning?, CapSource

https://capsource.io/what-is-el-legacy/?srsltid=AfmBOooQ7pHwaGHBoqhE__D3B0y8JoBO7Y-trdHw_jdm8xCwIZsl4rrR

[5] [6] [7] [8] [11] [28] [30] [31] [32] [44] [45] Projects Overview, CapSource