Real experience. Real employers. Long before graduation day.
At Buena Vista University, learning doesn't stay in the classroom. Through Signature Work, internships, undergraduate research, and one-on-one career coaching, you'll graduate with a resume full of real accomplishments — and the confidence to back it up.
Learning you can put on your resume
Every BVU student completes Signature Work — a faculty-mentored, hands-on project that connects what you learn in the classroom to real questions and real audiences. Whether it's a marketing campaign for a local business, original lab research, or a community partnership, your Signature Work becomes a portfolio piece you can talk about in any interview.
It's experiential learning by design, not by accident — built into your degree from your first year to your last.
Ways You'll Learn by Doing
From day one, BVU connects you to experiences that build skills, confidence, and a professional network — across every major.
Internships: Real employers, real responsibility
Students intern with hospitals, accounting firms, school districts, tech startups, ag companies, and nonprofits across Iowa and beyond. Last year, about 159 BVU students completed internships — many converting directly into job offers.
Undergraduate Research: Discover alongside your professors
You don't have to wait for grad school to do research. BVU students co-author studies, present at conferences, and run lab and field projects with faculty who know their names.
Hands-On Projects: Build something that matters
Run a portfolio fund in the finance lab, design a brand identity for a real client, or develop a lesson plan you'll teach in a live classroom. Coursework here ends in a deliverable, not just a grade.
A coach in your corner from day one
BVU's Career & Personal Development team works with you across all four years — not just at the end. Through the Career Connect program, you'll get personalized coaching, resume and interview prep, and warm introductions to employers and alumni in your field.
- One-on-one career coaching and major exploration
- Career Connect employer and alumni networking
- Resume, cover letter, and mock-interview support
- Internship and job search guidance every step of the way