What is it?
Experiential Learning involves hands-on, real-world activities that extend learning beyond the classroom, encouraging students to gain practical insights while developing essential career readiness competencies. This can include student employment, leadership roles, campus involvement, volunteerism, and more.
Experiential Learning in Student Engagement
Whether through leadership, service, or peer collaboration, Student Engagement connects students with opportunities that build skills and support their long-term success. These experiences are intentionally designed to support student success, leadership development, and career readiness while deepening a student’s sense of purpose and belonging.
Student Organizations, Sororities & Fraternities
Student Employment
Peer Mentorship Programs
Student Government Leadership
Graduate Assistantships, Practicums & Internships
Leadership Trainings & Retreats
Signature Events & GatorNights Leadership
Pre-Law Involvement with Student Legal Services
Intentional & Skill-Based Programming
Student Engagement Ambassadors
Planning & Executing Projects or Events
For-Credit Leadership Courses
NACE
Career Readiness Starts with Experience
Experiential learning gives students opportunities to develop and demonstrate skills that extend beyond the classroom. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) identifies seven Career Readiness Competencies that help prepare college students for success in the workplace and lifelong career development.
Why Engage With Us?
Develop Essential Skills
Build leadership, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills valued by employers in every industry.
Gain Real-World Experience
Apply classroom knowledge to hands-on opportunities that prepare you for success beyond UF.
Build Confidence and Make Informed Decisions
Clarify your goals and grow confidence through reflection, mentorship, and feedback.
Prepare for a Changing Career Landscape
Engage in experiences aligned with NACE Career Readiness Competencies to adapt and communicate your skills effectively.
Expand Your Network
Collaborate with peers, mentors, and campus partners to create lasting connections and job opportunities.
Explore Your Strengths and Interests
Discover your passions and values through purposeful experiences that enhance self-awareness and motivation.
Experiential Learning in Action
From career exploration and professional development to student employment and interactive challenges, experiential learning offers students opportunities to learn, reflect, connect, and grow.
Interactive Learning & Skill Development
214
Escape Room Participants
Students participated in the Spring 2026 Escape Room experience focused on Teamwork and Critical Thinking.
92%
Practiced Critical Thinking
91.8% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they practiced Critical Thinking skills by analyzing information and working with a team to develop solutions during the experience.
79%
Recognized Their Growth
Nearly 8 in 10 respondents rated the experience a 5 or 6 out of 6 for helping them better understand their strengths and areas for growth as a team member. Calculated from 87 of 110 responses
Career Exploration & Professional Connections
57
Should I Be a Lawyer? Participants
57 students participated in Should I Be a Lawyer?, gaining exposure to the legal profession and potential career pathways.
85%
Professional Connections
85% of respondents reported extreme satisfaction with alumni and lawyer facilitators, who were praised for their passion, realism, and encouragement.
5
Career-Ready Competencies
The experience provided opportunities to develop five NACE Career Readiness Competencies: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Professionalism, and Teamwork.
Learning Through Student Employment
Then you have a completely different type of experiential learning:
114
Student Employees
114 student employees gain hands-on workplace experience while contributing to Student Engagement operations.
91
Students Working Each Week
Approximately 91 student employees actively contribute across Student Engagement during an average week.
918+
Hours of Experience Worked
Student employees collectively contribute approximately 918 hours each week, creating significant opportunities for workplace learning and development.
Immersion Trip – EA Sports
Students had the chance to explore career opportunities, learn best practices for applying and interviewing, and hear from two incredible UF alumni. They also toured the facility and got a behind-the-scenes look at the spaces where creativity and innovation come to life.
Immersion Trip – Jacksonville Zoo
Students learned about the zoo’s evolution, met animal ambassadors, heard from a career panel, and explored behind-the-scenes-including a look at the new manatee area and upcoming entrance-before enjoying time to explore the zoo on their own.
Escape Room
In partnership with Just Escaped, students who participated enjoyed a Cyberpunk Escape themed room where they had to work together to solve puzzles and escape before the time ran out. After each session, students had a debrief to go over the experience.
Should I Be a Lawyer?
An incredible group of alumni and current law students guided 60 participants through an immersive, hands-on legal experience focused on resolving the issues surrounding an automobile accident case.
Partnerships or Questions
For more information or partnership opportunities, please contact Jackie Leon, Program Director for Experiential Learning at jacquelinenphill@ufl.edu.