INFORMATION FOR
At William Paterson University, we are committed to connecting academic learning with meaningful, real-world experiences that prepare students for professional success. PowerPaths, the University’s Career Experience Program, connects academic learning with real-world, hands-on experiences that help students explore careers, build skills, and prepare for life after graduation.
Beginning with the Class of 2028, all students are required to complete at least one PowerPath experience and are encouraged to pursue multiple experiences to maximize their career readiness and professional growth.
Through PowerPaths, students will:
Gain hands-on, real-world experience related to their field of study
Build a competitive résumé and professional LinkedIn profile
Develop transferable skills valued by employers and graduate programs
Reflect on experiences to effectively articulate their career story
Receive transcript recognition for eligible experiences
Students work closely with the Career Development Center and enroll in either non-credit or credit-bearing courses designed to support learning, reflection, and career development.
Students may fulfill the PowerPath requirement through for-credit experiences connected to their academic program or non-credit opportunities supported by the Career Development Center. Whether you are looking to deepen your expertise in your field or explore new career possibilities, there is a PowerPath aligned with your goals, interests, and schedule.
Each PowerPath provides an opportunity for meaningful personal and professional growth.
Internships provide hands-on, real-world experience and allow students to explore career interests in professional settings. Internships may be for credit or non-credit, paid or unpaid, and on-campus or off-campus.
For-Credit InternshipsStudents enroll in internship courses offered by their academic department. The department must approve these experiences and may fulfill major-specific requirements.
Contact your college’s Internship Coordinator to learn more about the steps required to have your internship approved for Academic Credit:
Non-Credit Internships
Students who do not require academic credit—or who wish to complete an additional internship beyond a credit-bearing requirement—may pursue a non-credit internship through the Career Development Center.
Non-credit internships are completed alongside EXP 3001, a short, asynchronous career reflection course designed to help students connect their internship experience to long-term career goals. Upon successful completion, eligible experiences are documented on the student’s transcript.
All internships—whether for credit or non-credit—must be approved in advance.
To begin:
Non-Credit Internships - Submit the Internship Experience Application Form through Handshake
Receive approval from:
Your Academic Internship Coordinator (for-credit)
The Career Development Center (non-credit)
Once approved:
For-credit internships: Enrollment is completed by your academic department
Non-credit internships: Enrollment in EXP 3001 is completed by the Career Development Center
Job Shadowing is a short-term career exploration experience that allow students to observe professionals in their field of interest, learn about day-to-day responsibilities, and explore potential career paths.
One-on-one or group-based observation experiences
Insight into professional roles, work environments, and career journeys
Opportunities to build connections within an industry
Apply through the Career Center’s Job Shadowing Program on Handshake
Once approved, students are enrolled in EXP 2001, a 7-week asynchronous reflection course designed to help students connect their internship experience to long-term career goals. Upon successful completion, eligible experiences are documented on the student’s transcript.
Short-term. High-impact. Real experience.
Micro-internships are project-based opportunities that allow students to gain professional experience in a flexible format. These experiences typically range from 10–40 hours and are completed over a 7-week period. Offered through the Career Development Center and open to all majors.
Work on real projects or events for an organization
Gain résumé-building experience in a short time frame
Explore industries and career paths
Apply for micro-internship opportunities via Handshake
Once accepted, complete the Handshake Experience Form
Enroll in EXP 2001, a 7-week asynchronous reflection course designed to help students connect their internship experience to long-term career goals. Upon successful completion, eligible experiences are documented on the student’s transcript.
Explore careers and build in-demand skills—virtually.
Forage is an approved option within the PowerPaths Career Experience Program, which helps students gain hands-on experience while completing a Career Reflection Experience Course (EXP 2001).
Students who choose Forage as their Career Experience Pathway will:
Complete a minimum of 5-7 simulations totaling 15-25 hours of Forage simulations.
Enroll in EXP 2001 to reflect on their experiences and connect their learning to career goals.
To make this easier and more meaningful, we’ve created industry-specific tracks that group several Forage programs in related fields. These tracks allow you to explore a sector in depth and build a portfolio of skills that align with your interests.
Apply for a Track on Handshake
Log into Handshake and apply to the PowerPaths track that best matches your career interests.
Submit Your Experience Form
This form officially enrolls you in EXP 2001 and connects your Forage work to your academic record.
Complete Your Track
Work through the programs in your chosen industry track until you reach at least 20 hours of experience.
Reflect & Earn Credit
Use the Career Reflection course to reflect on what you’ve learned and how it applies to your future career.
VIEW INDUSTRY TRACKS ON HANDSHAKE
Some academic programs require credit-bearing experiential learning as part of the degree. These faculty-supervised experiences allow students to apply academic knowledge in real-world settings.
Students should consult with their academic advisor and department faculty to ensure proper registration and approval.
Faculty-led research allows students—particularly those in the sciences or Honors College—to collaborate with faculty on independent or group research projects.
Must be approved and supervised by a faculty member
May involve course enrollment or elective credit, depending on the program
Students must submit a Handshake Experience Form if using research to fulfill the PowerPath requirement
Performance-based learning includes courses where students prepare and present artistic, dramatic, or musical work for a public audience. These experiences build professional skills in collaboration, creativity, and presentation.
The performance or project must be a central component of the course
Work must be presented or exhibited to an audience (in-person or virtual)
Students enroll in approved courses within their academic program (typically Music or Art)
Civic Engagement and Service Learning connect academic learning with meaningful community service, fostering leadership, empathy, and civic responsibility.
Students must complete William Paterson’s Civic Engagement Badge
Students must submit a Handshake Experience Form for the experience to count toward the requirement
Civic Engagement Badge Requirements (link):
Completion of the Community Engagement course in the University Core Curriculum (UCC)
Participation in three additional civic engagement activities
Activities may be course-based or co-curricular
Study Abroad experiences—semester-long or short-term, faculty-led—allow students to develop global and professional competencies. To fulfill the PowerPath requirement, the experience must include a hands-on or applied learning component such as fieldwork, service learning, research, or project-based coursework.
Secure your study abroad experience
Complete the Handshake Experience Form prior to departure
Receive approval from the Career Development Center
All non-credit PowerPaths include a short, asynchronous reflection course—EXP 2001 or EXP 3001—designed to help students maximize the value of their experience and connect learning to career goals.
Through these courses, students will:
Reflect on career interests, goals, and skill development
Connect experiential learning to academic and professional growth
Develop and update career-ready materials
Build a professional brand and confidently articulate their career story
Students completing job simulations, job shadowing, industry field trips, micro-internships, or civic engagement experiences are enrolled in EXP 2001.
Enrollment Requirements
Experience must be approved by the Career Development Center
Completion of the Handshake Experience Form is required
Course DescriptionEXP 2001 is a non-credit, 7-week asynchronous course managed by the Career Development Center. The course combines experiential learning with structured reflection and career readiness activities, allowing students to build workforce competencies, connect experiences to career goals, and document eligible experiences on their transcript.
Students completing non-credit internships are enrolled in EXP 3001.
Internship must be approved by the Career Development Center
Course DescriptionEXP 3001 is a non-credit, asynchronous course that supports students completing non-credit internships. The course helps students develop industry-relevant skills, reflect on workplace experiences, and strengthen competencies valued by employers. Upon completion, eligible internship experiences are documented on the student’s transcript.
Students can search, apply for, and report PowerPath experiences directly through Handshake. Handshake serves as the central platform for exploring opportunities and ensuring experiences are reviewed, approved, and documented.
Students exploring PowerPaths can access curated Handshake Collections for:
Job Simulations
Micro-Internships
Job Shadowing
Internships
Students may apply directly to these opportunities through Handshake.
Once an experience is secured, students must submit a Handshake Experience Form to have the experience reviewed and approved.
Non-credit experiences are reviewed and approved by the Career Development Center
For-credit internships are approved by the student’s college internship coordinator
Students completing for-credit internships must still submit a Handshake Experience Form after departmental approval. Be sure to select the appropriate Experience Template for your college when submitting the form.
Use the guides below and watch our how-to video for step-by-step instructions on applying for and reporting your experience in Handshake.
