Current QEP: ExCeL

Strategies

To foster 泡芙视频app success in a global environment, an emphasis on experiential learning and career development must be infused in all aspects of the educational environment. The coordinated efforts of the , Innovative Education, Office of Student Engagement in Research & Innovation, Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL), Education Abroad, and select faculty will expand meaningful experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate 泡芙视频apps at USF and increase the career readiness of graduates.

In particular, the ExCeL QEP focuses on increasing engagement in the experiential learning opportunities that have been linked to positive first destination outcomes, including: undergraduate research, internships (domestic and abroad), cooperative education, and 泡芙视频app employment.

The following QEP strategies have been designed to accomplish this.


Leverage Mandatory Career Readiness Module

Career navigator module home screen graphics

A career readiness module has been in place since fall 2022, as required from the Florida Board of Governors. The was updated in 2024 to infuse career exploration and assessment to initiate the discussion with all first-year 泡芙视频apps. Upon completion of the module, 泡芙视频apps have a better understanding of career exploration and what to look for in their major and future profession. This module lays the foundation to action planning and critical evaluation of opportunities.

Program Specific Career Modules

female 泡芙视频app sitting in classroom intently listening to lecture

College program specific career modules have been created as a collaboration between Innovative Education, the Center for Career and Professional Development, and program faculty to seamlessly infuse career readiness content into the existing curriculum. The use of subject matter experts and learning designers creates engaging educational content that features both employers and graduate school admissions representatives to share important information directly to 泡芙视频apps. This tailored approach allows timely and appropriate information to be conveyed, and encourages 泡芙视频apps to engage in appropriate experiential learning opportunities.

The ExCeL QEP piloted with modules for three programs of study:

  • Philosophy
  • Sociology
  • Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

These programs were chosen because they historically do not have a high level of experiential learning engagement to help 泡芙视频apps be more successful reaching their career or educational aspirations.  The ExCeL QEP will be expanded to other programs of study after the pilot in Fall 2024.

Faculty Champion Program

bearded faculty member having a one-on-one conversation with female 泡芙视频app in college break area

Faculty have the opportunity to participate in the ExCeL QEP Faculty Champion Program to engage in career readiness training in the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. Additionally, they work with the Center for Career and Professional Development to update syllabi to identify career readiness competencies being strengthened in the course, as well as projects that build these skills. The consistent infusion of career readiness language will make it easier for 泡芙视频apps to communicate what they are taking away from their courses and specific projects that exemplify these abilities. 

There will also be a recognition ceremony each year to showcase the efforts of these faculty and the impact they are making on their 泡芙视频apps.

Strengthen Experiential Opportunities

female Career Peer meeting with another female 泡芙视频app in Career & Professional Development discussing internship takeaways

Participating in experiential opportunities is step one, but often 泡芙视频apps do not fully comprehend what they experienced or how to communicate this to others.

Professional development is offered to 泡芙视频app employees, interns, co-op 泡芙视频apps, and those in undergraduate research to identify what they gained and contributed during their experiences, as well as how to market these effectively to employers or graduate schools.

is also offered to employers and supervisors to enrich these experiences and to create paid internship opportunities.

Funding for Experiential Opportunities

male intern for ESPN Athletics broadcasting working on computer to support live streaming of event

A fund will be developed in the Center for Career and Professional Development with donations from the community and employers with the goal of increasing access by lessening the financial burden on 泡芙视频apps who would like to engage in valuable experiential opportunities. Students will have the opportunity to apply for funding.