Discover Gator Launch: Your Gateway to Career Success at UF
Welcome to Gator Launch, powered by Suitable—a dynamic platform that helps you make the most of your time at the University of Florida by tracking your experiential learning, co-curricular activities, and other achievements outside the classroom. As a UF student, Gator Launch is your personalized tool for showcasing your journey and setting yourself apart through a vibrant online portfolio.
Why use Gator Launch?
- Track Your Journey: With Gator Launch, every activity you participate in during your time at UF adds to your story. Whether it’s a club meeting, or a leadership role, you can track your engagement and competency development all in one place.
- Earn Achievements: Gamify your college experience! Gator Launch turns your activities into a fun and engaging game where you can earn points, achievements, and climb leaderboards. Watch as your efforts translate into tangible rewards you can showcase to employers or graduate schools.
- Build Your Portfolio: Your online portfolio is more than a resume—it’s a reflection of your skills, experiences, and the competencies you’ve gained. Present your achievements effectively to potential employers, grad schools, or other professional opportunities.
- Plan Your Path: Gator Launch helps you connect your activities with career readiness competencies, giving you a clear view of your strengths and areas for growth. Assess where you might need more experience to meet your post-UF goals and take charge of your development.
- Universal Access: Whether you’re on the go or at your desk, Gator Launch is accessible to all Gators. Its user-friendly design makes it easy to navigate and use, no matter your level of tech-savviness.
Timeline
Gator Launch is currently in the pilot phase with its first live user group in September 2024. If you would like to be among the first group of cohorts for this engagement tool, please contact Julia Vollrath at JuliaVollrath@ufl.edu.
Get Started with Gator Launch
- Download the Suitable App: Gator Launch is powered by Suitable, so start by downloading the Suitable app on your mobile device. You can find it on the App Store or Google Play. If you need additional support with understanding how to download the tool, please view an instructional video here.
- Sign In with Your UF Credentials: Use your UF email and password to sign in. This will automatically link your account to Gator Launch.
- Explore Activities: Once logged in, browse the catalog of activities and opportunities available across campus. While we are currently in the pilot phase, opportunities are limited to cohorts. Campus-wide opportunities will continue to be added as we move into full launch. Check for new activities regularly!
- Start Tracking: Participate in activities and watch as your points, and achievements grow. Reflect on the skills you’re developing and how they align with your career goals. See the platform instructional guide to aid you in understanding how to enter your engagement.
- Build Your Portfolio: As you engage with Gator Launch, start curating your online portfolio. This is your chance to highlight the experiences and skills that define your Gator experience.
Gator Launch Definitions
Through Gator Launch you can record and highlight milestones or accomplishments, in the form of digital achievements to be added to your e-portfolio. You can utilize these accomplishments to enhance your resumes and LinkedIn profile!
You can browse a comprehensive catalog of extracurricular, co-curricular, and experiential learning opportunities within Gator Launch in alignment with your interests and career goals. Gator Launch allows you to log your involvement in these activities, making it easier to keep track of your engagement at UF over time.
Experiences and achievements outlined in the system are mapped back to top competencies employers are looking for, such as leadership, teamwork, or communication skills. You can track your development of these competencies and identify areas where you might need more experience.
Experiential learning engages you beyond the classroom and provides practical insight into world readiness while building knowledge and skills and establishing professional connections. Experiential learning encompasses a wide variety of enriching opportunities, including faculty-led research, study abroad, student employment, cooperative education, and internships. When engaging in these applied experiences, you can reflect on your unique value to the world of work and gain confidence in your career direction.
The Leaderboard provides insights into your achievements in conjunction with student peers, offering a benchmark for engagement. The leaderboard gamifies the experience for you!
Tasks are specific actions or steps that you need to complete related to activities, achievements, or career preparation within Gator Launch. For example, tasks might include completing a reflection paper or attending a meeting. Gator Launch can send reminders and track deadlines for various tasks, helping you to stay organized and on track with your responsibilities. Upon completion of your task, the administrator of your activity will review your submission and validate that the activity has been adequately completed.
Questions and Support for Gator Launch
Please contact gator-launch@ufl.edu for technical questions or issues navigating the Gator Launch platform. For questions related to an individual activity or achievement for your cohort, please contact your cohort administrator.