The 2014 Gallup Student Poll found that 33% of high school students said yes to having learned something interesting in the last seven days, and 20% said yes to having fun in school in the last seven days. These findings, along with research conducted on classroom performance, make it clear that students need interest-based learning.

Now, with the demand of greater self-awareness and more specialized skills, it’s time to expand learning outside of the classroom and make it more engrained in the education process to help advance our students. Research shows that work-based programs are one of the most effective tools for learning when it comes to high school and college-age students.

A study from the University of Iowa’s Center for Research on Undergraduate Education underscores this, finding that work experience improves classroom performance for students and helps them gain key skills like critical thinking, leadership, and reasoning. Work-based learning also correlates positively with student engagement.

An added bonus of making learning outside of the classroom a priority is that students get an early taste of what they enjoy doing. The earlier career exploration occurs, the sooner students are able to cross career paths off their lists. This type of education can take many forms, including job shadowing and hourly work. The key is to encourage students to explore a career path they’re interested in when they have the time and flexibility to try it out.

Read the full article about the importance of work based learning by Shireen Jaffer at Getting Smart.