Ingenuity in Action - How it Works

Identify what experiences you want to earn credit for

Talk to your advisor about what kind of experiential opportunities work best for your educational plan. As you progress through your studies, consult with your academic advisor often to make sure you are meeting the requirements for Ingenuity and Ingenuity in Action so you will be able to graduate on time. If you have not met graduation requirements, the Registrar may refuse your application to graduate.

Submit your application before your experience begins

Please note that your activity will not count if you fail to complete the application  and don't receive sponsor approval prior to the start of the experience. If you are concerned about the timing of your experience, please contact the Ingenuity in Action program coordinator.

Different activities will require different application processes. For example, a student who wants to participate in the LEADS program needs to apply to LEADS in the spring in order to be accepted for the following year. Alternatively, a student does not have to apply to take a class, they only have to register. It is important that you, as the student, know what steps you need to take to be able to secure an experiential learning opportunity. Make sure you start this process well in advance of the start date of this activity. If you are not sure what steps you need to take to apply for the activity, you should talk to the Ingenuity in Action program coordinator.

From the time you submit the application to when the Ingenuity in Action committee provides a decision on your request can take a week to a month or more to decide depending on whether the information submitted is complete. In order for this process to go smoothly, make sure you apply as soon as possible, you follow the directions in the application, and you provide all requested information. Check your email often for correspondence from the Ingenuity in Action Committee in case more information is requested.

Apply funding to experiences

Pre-approved or proposed experience that requires funding and/or academic credit: The application for these types of experiences may take longer to complete as additional materials such as personal statements, recommendations and/or a budget will be required depending on the experience. The primary activities that generally require additional materials include internships, off campus study, and Cornell Summer Research Institute (CSRI) experiences. For questions surrounding specific requirements for these activities and to best prepare materials for proposal submission, visit the appropriate website or office.

INTERNSHIPS    OFF-CAMPUS STUDY   CSRI

What to expect during your experience

During your experience, it is important to remember that this is a learning process. While you work on your Ingenuity in Action activities, think about the learning outcomes and the reflection questions listed in the Ingenuity in Action category you are completing. It is a good habit to start a daily journal where you can log the activities you work on each day, but also reflect on the work you did. Here are some tips for daily journals:

• Be consistent in your journaling - don’t skip days or weeks at a time
• This is not merely a description of what you did each day - this is an opportunity for you to critically assess and analyze the decisions you made and the work you performed, your professionalism, and the environment around you
• Challenge yourself to find ways you can improve - think about specific goals or strategies for learning and growing

Though a daily reflection journal is recommended, you should work with your Sponsor to make sure you are completing the work the two of you agreed upon. There are many ways to keep a growth mindset during an experiential learning activity. Maintain contact with your sponsor and keep track of the hours devoted to your experience with an Hours Log.

What happens at the end of your experience

Congratulations on completing another important experiential learning opportunity! Now that the experience is complete, you should complete any assignments that are required by your sponsor.

Reflection

The final step in receiving transcript notation is the most important - completing and submitting your reflection. Your responses to the reflection questions should be well organized and thought out. Your sponsor will approve or deny your final reflection, so you should consult with your sponsor before submitting to ensure you are meeting their expectations of the learning outcomes. Once your sponsor approves your reflection, the Ingenuity in Action program coordinator will submit a final grade of “pass” and your experience will be added to your transcript.

Complete your reflection through the InAct Portal in a thoughtful manner and articulate how your experience will enhance your future plans. Your sponsor will use a rubric for your specific category to approve or require changes to your final reflection.

Sharing your experience

An important component of the learning process that takes place through participation in Ingenuity in Action is to share your experience. You may do so in a variety of ways.

• Student Symposium: Each year in the spring semester students share their work through oral and poster presentations during a day-long event attended by the Cornell community and the general public. To participate, submit your proposal or speak to your faculty or staff sponsor to become involved. The Student Symposium is sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning.
• Internship Showcase: During the fall and/or spring semesters, Cornell-funded interns will share their experiences through presentations and/or a networking reception with faculty and site sponsors, donors, and friends. Preparation and notification of the timing of the showcases will be shared by the Berry Career Institute with interns who are required to participate.
• Cornell Summer Research Institute (CSRI) Student Symposium: At the end of the CSRI experience, student researchers share their research with the Cornell community through poster presentations. CSRI faculty sponsors and the CSRI Director will provide preparation instructions and details surrounding the event. 
• Published Research: Students are encouraged to share their research through journal publications. If you worked with a Cornell faculty member or researcher at another institution that is publishing their research, you could be listed as a co-publisher. For more information about the process, consult with your faculty sponsor.
• Social Media: Today’s social media platforms offer a variety of ways to share your experiences.  Whether adding your projects to a Youtube channel, posting an article, using the projects function on LinkedIn, or showcasing your technical projects on GitHub, these are all great ways to show the world what you’ve learned and your level of expertise on particular topics.
• Websites: Not only are personal websites great for sharing your projects, they can provide deeper insights than a resume when you’re trying to get noticed by an employer

Questions? Contact us

Contact the Coordinator for Experiential Learning, Danielle Linkenmeyer or visit our office, which is located in Thomas Commons on the middle level, for more information. You may also send an email to: ingenuity_in_action@cornellcollege.edu and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.