Partner With Purpose
Relevant, Experiential and Applied Learning (REAL) at VCU connects community partners with talented, motivated students through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. Whether you're seeking fresh ideas, research support, creative solutions, or future workforce talent, partnering with VCU gives you access to students eager to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Together, we can create opportunities that benefit your organization and help prepare the next generation of changemakers.
The relationships we build with our business and community partners are critical to REAL's — and our students' — success.
Know your rights and responsibilities as a community partner by checking out the VCU Partner Health & Safety Experiential Learning protocols.
Resources
Virginia Employer Readiness Toolkit
A blueprint to develop quality internship opportunities for Virginia's talent pipeline
REAL is a promise
For employers and community leaders, REAL is a promise to:
Engage you as co-educators and provide structured opportunities to gather feedback on your current needs, on industry trends, and how our students can best be prepared to take their places as innovative contributors.
Ensure students receive the hands-on experience, mentoring and reflective practice they need to smoothly transition from college life to professional life.
Develop students' transferable skills as well as subject knowledge, including:
- Teamwork
- Work ethic
- Problem-solving skills
- Communication skills
- Creative thinking
- Resourcefulness
- Interpersonal skills
- Flexibility/adaptability
- Self-awareness