The Value of Internships: How Education Is Shaped by the World Outside the Classroom

11 April 2025

The Value of Internships: How Education Is Shaped by the World Outside the Classroom

Education doesn’t exist in a vacuum. While classrooms provide structure and academic lessons, many of the experiences that influence how children grow, think and behave often occur outside those four walls. From early childhood through high school, students bring parts of the outside world into their learning environment every day. Cultural backgrounds, family support, friendships, community experiences, and even the surrounding environment all help shape how students view learning—and how well they engage with it.

In the K–12 system, these outside influences can either strengthen or complicate what happens during school hours. Students walk into classrooms with different personal experiences, values, and expectations based on what they encounter at home, in their communities, and online. For any educational system to work well, it needs to recognize those outside factors and find ways to build around them. Something for all managers to think about, when responding to those requests for work-experience opportunities! 

Learning Values Begin with Guidance 

From the first day of pre-kindergarten, guidance plays a key role in shaping how children approach learning. Young students look to the adults around them—both in and outside the classroom—to understand what’s expected of them. When children receive consistent encouragement, clear boundaries, and regular feedback, they tend to view learning as something positive and worthwhile. This guidance helps them form early habits around curiosity, responsibility, and self-motivation.

Inside schools, teachers provide that early structure and play a major part in developing these foundational attitudes. They are often the first figures of authority outside a child’s family who guide how students communicate, behave, and think critically. Their influence carries across all grade levels, helping students build confidence and work through challenges.

For those who feel called to this profession, pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) can be an important step. Earning this degree helps future educators deepen their understanding of how to reach students at all stages and gives them more tools to adapt to different learning needs. Pursuing an MAT degree online is especially helpful for people balancing work, family, or other responsibilities. Online programs offer more flexibility, allowing individuals to complete coursework at their preferred pace and from any location. 

Culture Shapes How Students Learn

Cultural traditions and values strongly influence how students respond to instruction, interact with their peers, and define academic success. In a diverse country like the United States, classrooms include students from many backgrounds, each bringing their own set of expectations and communication styles. Some families may prioritize group learning and cooperation, while others may focus more on individual achievement.

Teachers and school leaders who recognize and respect these cultural influences are more likely to build trust with students and families. This doesn’t mean changing lessons for each student but instead finding ways to include different perspectives and ways of thinking. Offering a range of teaching styles, allowing multiple paths to show learning, and inviting family involvement can create more meaningful connections. When students feel their cultural identity is valued, they often show more interest in learning and feel more confident taking part in class. 

Parents and Academic Direction

Family involvement has a lasting impact on how students view school. When parents or guardians show interest in what their children are learning and take time to support school-related tasks, it sends a clear message that education matters. Students are more likely to attend school regularly, complete assignments, and aim for higher goals when they know their family is invested. This kind of involvement doesn’t always require formal meetings or school visits—even simple routines like checking homework, talking about school, or reading together can make a difference. 

On the flip side, a lack of involvement or limited support at home can affect academic progress. Some families face challenges such as long work hours, language barriers, or limited access to educational resources. Schools that want to better support students in these situations need to find practical ways to communicate and partner with parents. 

Beyond the Classroom: Activities That Build Skills

Extracurricular activities play a big part in helping students grow beyond academics. Programs like sports, music, drama, robotics, and student government give children and teens a chance to build real- life skills in a low-pressure setting. They learn how to manage their time, follow through on commitments, and deal with both wins and setbacks. These experiences are valuable for all ages and often lead to improved confidence and stronger connections with peers.

Being involved in structured programs outside class also helps students stay engaged with school overall. It gives them a sense of belonging and something to look forward to, especially during difficult academic periods. Participation can also reveal strengths that don’t always show up in the classroom. Whether it’s leadership in a club or creativity in an art competition, these outlets allow students to develop in well-rounded ways that contribute to long-term success. 

The Value of Internships

Internships can be a uniquely important form of education because they help connect what’s learnt in school with real-life work experiences. Good internships also allow students to actually apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to actual work situations. Through internships, students can not only develop hands-on skills and gain deeper insights into an industry, they enable networking with professionals who may be able to influence their job prospects, or even support their career development.

For employers, internships can be a great way to spot and nurture new talent, which is of benefit to both the company and the student. And of equal importance, this helps potential employers to ensure they find employees who are the ‘right fit’ for their organization. In return, internships can give students a  valuable glimpse into what the professional world is like. Better internships can help teach them how to solve problems, and adapt to different situations, preparing students for future career success. By helping students take classroom knowledge and apply it through real-world skills, internships play a key role in making sure students are ready to thrive in their chosen careers.

Lessons from the Environment

Environmental issues give students a chance to connect what they’re learning to real-world challenges. Topics like climate change, pollution, conservation, and energy use are more than just science lessons—they’re opportunities for students to explore cause and effect, ethical decision-making, and long-term thinking. When schools introduce environmental topics through hands-on projects, fieldwork, or school-wide initiatives, students often become more engaged because they can see the relevance in their daily lives.

These lessons also encourage students to think beyond textbooks and consider how their actions affect others. Recycling drives, school gardens, and community clean-up events help children and teens take part in solutions. Over time, they begin to see themselves as active participants in their communities and stewards of the planet. 

Learning Through Social Growth

Social interaction is a key part of education that sometimes gets overlooked. From pre-K through high school, students learn through their relationships with classmates. They pick up social norms, practice communication, and figure out how to work as part of a team. Such daily experiences help them develop emotional intelligence and learn how to handle disagreements, share ideas, and support one another. 

As students grow older, their peer relationships become even more important. Friendships and group dynamics can affect confidence, motivation, and even academic performance. Schools that encourage healthy peer interaction through group work, class discussions, and collaborative projects give students more chances to grow socially. 

Tech and the Modern Learner

Technology has changed how students access and interact with information. Digital tools like tablets, laptops, and educational apps allow for personalized learning and instant feedback. Students can research topics, complete assignments, and collaborate with others from anywhere.

At the same time, access to technology highlights some of the gaps in educational systems. Not all students have the same internet access or digital devices at home. Schools need to consider how they use technology and who has access to it. When used thoughtfully, tech tools can help students build digital literacy, explore their interests, and become more self-directed learners. 

The world outside the classroom has a deep and lasting impact on how students learn and grow. From cultural traditions and parental involvement to technology, service, and social interaction, these outside influences shape the way education works.

Leadership Resources

For more leadership resources look at our great-value guides. These include some excellent tools to help your personal development plan. The best-value approach is to buy our Leadership bundle, available from the store.

We’ve bundled together these five e-guides at half the normal price! Read the guides in this order, and use the tools in each, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your personal development plan. (6 guides, 167 pages, 27 tools and 22 insights, for half price!)

• Leadership Essentials
• Defining Leadership
• Leading Insights
• Leading with Style and Focus
• Transformational Change
• Making Change Personal

>> Return to the Leadership Knowledge Hub