UNIVERSITY RECOGNIZED EXPERIENCES (URE)

Make Your Experience Count through the University Recognized Experiences (URE) Self-Reporting Process

Did you complete a co-curricular (non-credit) experience between Summer 2025 and the present that is not already being recognized through a University of Florida program or reporting process? You may be eligible to have it officially recognized by the University of Florida and included on your Gator Experience Record through the University Recognized Experience (URE) process located within the Gator Experiential Learning Hub (for Student access).

*NOTE: Faculty, Staff and Administrators should use this link for access into the Gator Experiential Learning Hub (for Administrators).

What is a University Recognized Experience (URE)?

A URE is a co-curricular or “non-credit”, career-related experience that gives you hands-on, real-world experience as a valuable part of your learning journey. These experiences go beyond the classroom, allowing you to develop key skills, apply what you’ve learned, and expand your professional network while exploring in a meaningful role. The URE meets UF’s standards for high-impact experiential learning and gives you official recognition for your professional experience and skill development outside the classroom.

University Recognized Experience Categories to Self-Report:

  • Creative & Entrepreneurial Works: Creative Immersion Activity, Design Competitions, Curated Art and Creative Shows, Entrepreneurship or Innovation Project, Recital or Exhibition 
  • Internship, Co-Op & Work-Based Learning: Internship, Cooperative Education (Co-op), Apprenticeship
  • Leadership & Involvement: Event Planning and Execution, Leadership Training, Summits, or Retreat, Peer Leadership Program
  • Professional Exploration & Development: Job Shadow and Externship, Seminars, Conferences and Showcases, Professional Immersion Activity, Scholar or Achievement Program 
  • Research: Undergraduate Research (Off-Campus), Paid Research Assistantships, Community-Based Research, Undergraduate Research-Based Work Experience 

Why Should You Submit Your Experience?

  • Get official UF recognition for your experience
  • Showcase your detailed experiences on your Gator Experience Record
  • Highlight transferable skills for job applications, interviews, and grad school
  • Reflect on your learning and how it connects to your career goals

University Recognized Experience Requirements

To qualify as a University Recognized Experience, you must be currently enrolled at UF, and the experience must have been completed while you were enrolled as a UF student. Your experience must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a co-curricular experience (not for academic credit, including “0” credit courses) that is not already being captured or recognized on your Gator Experience Record through another University of Florida process. You may reach out to our office if you are unsure.
  • Be supervised by a professional in the field
  • Include learning objectives and meaningful reflection on skill development
  • Involve meaningful, career-relevant tasks (not just administrative work)
  • Submission items needed (review the FAQ section to get detailed information list):
    • Confirmation Document
    • Written Reflection
    • Experience Artifact

Are You Ready to Submit Your Experience?

  1. Log in to the Gator Experiential Learning Hub and select “University Recognized Experiences” located on the left side navigation bar.
  2. On the “My Experiences” page, select “Locate Experience Type and Term” at the top of the screen.
  3. Then select which of the 5 categories of experiential learning you would like to self-report. This will open a pop-up box that will allow you to apply for recognition of your experience.
  4. After confirming you want to proceed with self-reporting, complete the three-part submission form. This will include self-reflection, sharing of an artifact, and providing details related to the experience.
  5. After review and validation by the University career services, your experience will be approved to appear on your Gator Experience Record (allow 2-4 weeks for review)
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Frequently Asked Questions

View the University Recognized Experiences FAQ’s

  1. Documentation confirming your involvement in the experience (documentation on letterhead is preferred when available). Examples include:
    • Offer or acceptance letter
    • Confirmation email
    • Program acceptance notice
    • Conference registration, agenda, etc.
    • Mentoring or program confirmation
    • Any official communication from a supervisor, coordinator, or organization
  2. A 400-500 word meaningful written reflection connecting the experience to your career goals. Use the reflection essay resource to complete.
  3. An artifact to showcase your work during the experience (portfolio, project, work sample, etc.). Use the student guide to complete.
    • Internship, Co-Op & Work-Based Learning
      • Artifact: Provide an artifact from this experience. (Artifact options include agendas, badge, blogs, essays, goal-setting documents, journal, pictures, portfolio, proposal, presentation, report, work samples, etc.)
    • Professional Exploration & Development
      • Artifact: Provide an artifact from this experience. (Artifacts options include agendas, badge, career exploration reflection, goal-setting documents, job shadowing logs, journal, LinkedIn badges, pictures, portfolio, proposal, presentation, report, work samples, workshop or training certificates.)
    • Leadership & Involvement
      • Artifact: Provide an artifact from this experience. (Artifacts options include agendas, badge, event planning documents, goal-setting documents, journal, membership recruitment materials, minutes from meetings, pictures, portfolio, proposal, presentation, recognition certificates or awards, report, work samples, etc.)
    • Creative & Entrepreneurial Works
      • Artifact: Provide an artifact from this experience. (Artifacts options include agendas, awards, branding plan, business plans, digital projects, event designs, financial reports, flyers, goal-setting documents, journal, leadership development plan, marketing plan, marketing research plan, memberships, original designs, photos, portfolio, proposal, posters, presentation, prototype documentation, recordings, report, social media posts, visuals or work/writing samples.)
    • Research
      • Artifact: Provide an artifact from this experience. (Artifacts options include agendas, annotated bibliographies, badge, data sets or data summaries, drafts, drawings, goal-setting documents, journal, lab collaboration, lab methodology write ups, lab notebook pages, lab work, news articles, photos, portfolio, presentation, press release, proposal, report, research papers, research poster, research reflections, spreadsheets, or work samples.)

Helpful Resources

Virtual University Recognized Experience Support Hours

Have questions about your University Recognized Experience or need help submitting your documentation? Join our virtual URE support hours every Tuesday from 9:00–11:30 a.m. for real‑time guidance. Students can drop in to get help understanding categories, preparing submissions, or troubleshooting the reporting process. We’re here to support you as you document your experiential learning and make progress toward your Gator Experience Record.

Virtual University Recognized Experience Support Hours with Alana Cordero or please email the Experiential Learning Team at uf-uri@ufsa.ufl.edu.

Use the QR Code below to scan and participate in the virtual URE support: