You’ve probably heard the term “experiential learning” tossed around at orientation, in class, or during career prep conversations. But what does it actually mean—and why should you care?
Simply put, experiential learning is any opportunity that helps you apply what you’re learning in the classroom to real-world situations. Think internships, research, leadership roles, volunteering, part-time jobs, or even global experiences. These hands-on moments help you explore your interests, test career paths, and build professional skills—all while you’re still in college.
Why Experiential Learning Matters
Whether you’re planning to go straight into a job, grad school, or something else after graduation, experience is key. Experiential learning helps you:
- Build skills employers are looking for—like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork
- Test drive career options before committing to a full-time role
- Tell a stronger story on your resume and in interviews
- Feel more confident in your abilities and direction
Explore the Experiential Learning Dashboard
To make these opportunities easier to find, we reached across campus to every academic college and most non-academic departments to gather information about what’s available—and we were blown away by the response. There are over 4,000 experiential learning opportunities available to UF students, both inside and outside the classroom.
We pulled all of them together into one powerful tool: the Experiential Learning Dashboard, located on the Career Hub’s “What is Experiential Learning?” page. This searchable dashboard is your one-stop shop for exploring co-curricular experiences (activities not tied to academic credit) offered by departments across campus.
On the dashboard, you’ll find:
- The name of the program or activity
- A brief description of what it offers
- A link to learn more (if available)
- The category of experiential learning it falls under
You can filter the dashboard by your college, choose from seven categories of experiential learning, or use the search bar to look up keywords that match your interests.
Your Key to Building Experience and Strengthening Skills
Whether you’re looking to gain experience in your field, build new skills, or just try something different, the dashboard is a great place to start. Spend some time exploring the filters, reading through descriptions, and visiting program websites. You’ll often find contact information or next steps right there.
Remember: experiential learning is your journey—and it doesn’t have to look just one way. This is your chance to lean in, get involved, and shape your college experience beyond the classroom. You never know where it might lead.
