Community-Based Learning

While community-based learning should be reciprocal, it’s also important to reflect on your goals. How can your classroom or personal experiences support the work? What skills do you hope to gain? Consider potential barriers like transportation and availability. Do you want to make an impact locally, nationally, or globally? Would you rather join structured programs or explore opportunities independently?

Think about whether you want to apply technical skills or contribute more generally, like creating a scheduling app for a food pantry versus volunteering directly. Be mindful not to overcommit, as the university values honoring community obligations.

Community-based learning that occurs within the classroom tends to have related readings, articles, research, etc. Pitt’s Office of Community Engagement and Community Affairs resources, as well as their recommended framework for volunteering and public service are helpful resources.

Whether the experience takes place through the University or not, understanding a strengths-based approach to community-based learning, specifically the Asset Based Community Development methodology can be helpful.

SCI has established several key partnerships and initiatives specifically to provide students with an opportunity to make an impact on society using their technical skills:  

• iServe, offered each fall and spring exclusively to SCI students in partnership with the Office of PittServes, benefits students interested in semester-based technical consulting projects.
• Pitt’s Neighborhood Commitments offer local opportunities to engage in programming throughout the year, such as the STEAM Saturdays and summer sessions in the Hill District, as well as tech tutoring in Homewood. There is ongoing research being conducted by SCI faculty and students in the centers and related neighborhoods as well. 

Please note, students on an F-1 visa have restrictions on the types of volunteer work they can participate in. They should not be volunteering for technical work that would typically be done by a paid employee, unless it’s part of a school sponsored program, like iServe. The Office of International Services has additional guidance. 

SCI students interested in technical skills-based volunteer opportunities and programs within Pitt and the Pittsburgh community should complete the SCI Community Engagement form each semester. They will be notified as relevant opportunities and programs are announced. 

iServe applications open up at the beginning of the fall and spring semester and students can participate in as many semesters as they like. 

For international experiences, meet with one of the Global Experiences Office (GEO) advisors at least a full academic year in advance to wanting to pursue community-based learning outside of the U.S. It’s also important to keep your academic/faculty advisor informed as well.

The Undergraduate Research Scholars in SCI or the Community Research Fellowship awarded by the Honors College may have available funding for those interested in research and mentorship. Applications for these competitive programs are typically due at least two semesters before the program begins. 

Coursework 
Speak with your academic or faculty advisor to better understand the courses available that either complement an area of interest, could fulfill a general elective, and/or have a service-learning component. Explore options to earn course credit for community-based learning, such as the undergraduate team-based capstone courses and others at the graduate level.  

Research 
SCI has several faculty who are participating in community engaged work. It can be helpful to speak to them directly to learn more and to see if they need assistance. Undergraduates can refer to the list of SCI faculty looking for undergraduate assistance.

However, there are other schools, centers, and institutes at the university that are doing work with the community and might have opportunities available. The Undergraduate Research Resources directory is a useful starting point, but most students seek out community researchers and practitioners after seeing their information on their various school-related websites. 

Community-based learning and its related types of experiential learning can be very impactful on a student’s educational and career journey. 

Reflect on what you learned and any challenges you faced. These experiences can provide clues as to what students might enjoy doing in their free time, but also in their professional life. Pitt’s Career Center has Career Consultants and Experiential Learning Consultants that can explain how to design a company-first approach to finding companies that are in alignment with a student’s values and interests. They can also ensure that the experiences are translatable to employers in resumes and in interviews.