Capstone projects are an integral part of the degree programs at WGU and are designed to directly contribute to students’ future careers in several important ways. The capstone is meant to serve as a culminating academic and applied experience before students graduate and often reflect a real-world project they may encounter in their professional work.
Many capstones require students to identify a problem or issue in their field of study and propose a solution. This allows students to practice critical skills like problem-solving, research, analysis, project planning and implementation that are highly valued by employers. Students also get experience explaining technical concepts to a non-technical audience through their written reports and presentations. Being able to clearly communicate one’s ideas is a transferable soft skill that benefits students regardless of their specific career path.
As the capstone project centers around an applied work-related challenge, students are able to network with professionals in their industry for advice and mentorship throughout the process. This provides an opportunity for job-shadowing, informational interviews and potential industry connections that may lead to job opportunities. The projects also allow students to add real work samples to their resume and portfolios that demonstrate their qualifications and skills to future hiring managers.
Many capstones also involve working directly with organizational partners in the community. For example, nursing students may partner with a clinic to help address a health issue through community outreach programs. This experience gives students membership in professional associations and a better understanding of workplace culture, which is valuable for students entering the job market. The partnerships also offer a way for organizations to scout potential new hires from engaged student capstone participants.
The self-directed nature of capstone projects cultivates important intrapersonal skills in time management, prioritization, self-motivation and resiliency that translate well to professional responsibilities. As the final assessment before graduation, capstones signify to employers that students have mastered high-level competencies within their field of study after devoting dozens of hours to an intensive, consequential project. Passing a capstone serves as a signal to future employers that WGU graduates can successfully complete major, career-aligned undertakings independently.
Considering the rising costs and student loan debt associated with higher education, employers also value degrees from WGU because of their emphasis on competency-based learning and immediate career applicability. The meaningful, skills-based capstone experience aligns well with this educational approach and philosophy. According to surveys, both students and employers agree the capstones allow graduates to hit the ground running in their first jobs with relevant experience under their belts.
Some capstones result in work that can be built upon after graduation as well. For example, computer science students may create functional websites or code that lead to the launch of start-up companies and freelance work. The exposure also helps expand students’ professional networks, which is invaluable for learning about career opportunities and advancement. The tangible, skills-focused nature of capstone projects directly transfers learning into applicable experience that serves WGU graduates very well in their job searches and early careers.
In fact, recent alumni surveys found the vast majority of WGU graduatesSecure feel their capstone projects contributed either “quite a bit” or “a great deal” to their confidence and competence in the workplace. WGU is also proud that over 90% of its online graduates secure jobs within six months of earning their degrees. While multiple factors play a role, speaking with hiring managers reveals the applied, portfolio-building nature of capstones makes WGU graduates attractive candidates who are career-ready from day one. Capstones provide proof of students’ mastery and an ideal representation of the practical, career-focused education WGU provides. The meaningful, skills-based experiences cultivated through capstone projects greatly enhance students’ preparedness and competitiveness for future career success.