One of the most shocking experiences that is common among college students is that they start their first job after graduation and discover that the real world is nothing like the classroom. Some schools are better than others at limiting this problem so that the transition between college and the working world is easier for their students.

One of the best ways to reduce the difference between the classroom and the work environment is to get hands-on experience in the field before graduation. This can be done through classroom exercises or student work. A great way to do this is through externships. These are short on-the-job opportunities in which students get out of the classroom and actually see what the work is like in a real setting.

For example, students attending Western Culinary Schools complete their programs with a 12-week externship in the restaurant industry. This helps them transition from cooking in a classroom to cooking in an actual restaurant. Externships can even lead to job opportunities for some of the students but the real benefit is just the experience.