Getting a college education is just the beginning — the right program should also prepare you for success in the professional world. At Baker College, our career-focused education combines hands-on learning with personalized support to help students build real-world skills and transition confidently from classroom to career.
Bridging the Gap from Classroom to Career
Earning a degree isn’t just about completing credit hours. It’s about gaining the tools and experience needed to thrive in your chosen field. At Baker, our programs help prepare for the transition from student to working professional through relevant coursework, internship opportunities, and real-world application.
By focusing on career development and building in-demand, practical skills, you’ll enter the job market with confidence. Choosing a college that prioritizes career preparation means you’ll have access to the guidance and resources needed to take your next step.
Career-Focused Education at Baker College
At Baker College, we believe that earning a degree should be about more than academic achievement — it should be a launching pad for lifelong professional success. That’s why we’ve built our programs around career-focused education that reflects the evolving needs of today’s job market.
Each of our academic programs is carefully reviewed and regularly updated to stay in sync with the latest industry standards, technologies, and employer expectations. This ensures that students receive an education that’s not only academically rigorous but also highly relevant. Additionally, we offer experienced faculty members dedicated to student success. Their real-world expertise enriches classroom discussions and offers students invaluable mentorship as they work toward becoming career-ready professionals.
Experiential Learning: Gaining Real-World Skills
While academic knowledge lays the foundation for professional growth, it’s hands-on learning that truly brings that knowledge to life. At Baker, we emphasize experiential learning as a core component of career development, giving students the opportunity to practice what they’ve learned in real-world settings.
What Is Experiential Learning?
So, what is experiential learning, exactly? Put simply, it’s a dynamic, student-centered approach that encourages learners to apply classroom theory to real-world scenarios. This could take the form of case studies, simulations, practicums, or collaborative projects — all of which require students to think critically and make decisions based on real-time input.
This type of learning not only reinforces classroom instruction but also promotes stronger comprehension, longer retention, and a deeper connection to the subject matter. For students focused on preparing for a career, experiential learning can be a game-changer.
How Baker Implements Hands-On Learning
At Baker College, we offer a wide range of experiential learning opportunities across over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. These hands-on learning experiences are designed to help students build their professional confidence, gain new skills, and prepare for immediate employability in the workforce.
In our health sciences programs, for example, students take part in required clinical rotations to expose them to various areas of the field. Business program students, meanwhile, can explore numerous internship opportunities that immerse them in the realities of day-to-day operations and strategy. Finally, technology students participate in hands-on labs, simulations, and practicums that mirror the challenges they’ll face in the workplace.
Career Services: Guiding You to Career Readiness
In addition to career-ready degree programs and hands-on experiences, Baker offers dedicated career preparation services, ranging from personalized advising to resume and interview preparation.
Personalized Career Advising
Baker College is proud to provide dedicated career advisors for tailored student support. When you meet with a career advisor, you can get personalized assistance with anything from job searching and networking to professional etiquette and internships. To get started, simply reach out to the Career Services team at [email protected] or set up an appointment through the Career Resource Center.
Resume and Interview Preparation
Baker’s Career Resource Center holds regular career development workshops, which can be an excellent way to bridge the gap between school and the workforce. Along with group workshops, students have access to one-on-one consultations where they can optimize their resumes, engage in mock job interviews, and get personalized feedback.
Leveraging Handshake for Professional Success
To help build career readiness, Baker College utilizes the Handshake career platform. This unique tool helps launch careers by linking students with potential employers and internship opportunities.
What Is Handshake?
Handshake is a professional networking platform that Baker students can access for free. Here, employers can post jobs and internship opportunities directly to Baker’s network, simplifying your search and connecting you with valuable opportunities to build your professional network and gain experience in your field.
Exclusive Opportunities for Baker Students
By using Handshake through Baker College, you’ll automatically have access to thousands of job postings and internships. From there, you can use your profile to directly connect and engage with potential employers, learn about different companies, and even check out peer reviews from other students who have worked or interned there.
Networking and Employer Connections
When you’re a student or an alum of Baker, you can enjoy access to unique networking and employer connections that could prove useful when preparing for a career.
Strong Employer Partnerships
Baker College’s Career Services has partnered with employers across the globe to help connect students to potential work opportunities across several industries. In addition to our partnerships with regional and national employers, we hold regular career fairs, recruiting events, and other direct hiring initiatives that can help you get your foot in the door.
Building a Professional Network
Whether you choose to enroll online or on campus, building a strong professional network early in your academic journey can lead to long-term success and open doors to future opportunities. From on-campus job fairs to industry-specific networking events, students can take the initiative to form meaningful connections that will support their transition into the workforce. Even online learners can grow their network by attending virtual events and making strategic use of platforms like LinkedIn.
The Power of Baker’s Alumni Network
We take a lot of pride in our extensive Baker Alumni Community, which offers opportunities for lifelong connections and supports the well-being of alumni, current students, and local communities. Even after you’ve earned your degree from Baker, you’ll still have access to a wide range of exclusive event invitations, professional development workshops, community service opportunities, and alumni networking events to help you advance your career.
Beyond Graduation: Ongoing Career Support
As mentioned above, the career support you receive from Baker College doesn’t end once you graduate. Rather, all Baker students (past and present) have access to lifetime career assistance and alumni resources as they enter, navigate, and advance in their respective job markets.
Lifetime Career Assistance
Whether you need a little support as you prepare for a big job interview or are looking for opportunities to further your training and education, Baker’s lifetime career assistance extends to all alumni. Get help with a resume or cover letter with Career Services or explore tailored career coaching through the Career Resource Center. We even have alumni scholarships for those interested in taking their education even further.
Alumni Services and Resources
Our graduates join our tight-knit alumni community, where you’ll enjoy continued access to the Handshake platform for job and internship searches. You’ll also have access to our career resources while gaining special access to exclusive industry events and networking opportunities. Sign up for the alumni community at Baker College and start reaping the benefits right away!
Why Baker College Is a Smart Choice for Career-Focused Students
Your degree is so much more than just a piece of paper; it’s a testament to the hours you spent building your foundational knowledge and expertise. And when you earn your degree from a school that cares about more than just churning out graduates, you can break into your chosen field with confidence.
At Baker College, we’re proud to offer a wide range of career services and other practical resources to help set students and alumni up for success. From our personalized career advising and interview preparation to our strong employer partnerships and Handshake platform, all students (current and past) have access to the resources they need, no matter where they are in their professional journey.Learn more about our career services, alumni services, or program offerings at Baker by reaching out today. Ready to get started? Submit your no-fee application here!