Consider the Opportunity to Engage

Exploring

CU Boulder embeds you in a global research and creative community making discoveries, enriching lives and creating the future. We encourage you to consider participation in the research and creative community as an opportunity for experiential learning that builds in-demand job skills while preparing you for the future of work.

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Engagement in experiential learning activities involves much more than technical knowledge and skills. Relational abilities, such as communication and leadership, are valuable transferable skills practiced in working on projects and align to in-demand job skills often difficult to see on a school transcript. You also have the ability to define yourself with "signature work" that shows employers unique aspects of your profile.

As you take ownership of your education by pursuing your interests and asking your own questions, you enable your ability to author the next chapters of your story.

The Future is Learning

Engagement in research and creative work builds skills uniquely suited for the rapidly changing future of work, which is expected to value self-directed learning as well as critical and creative thinking. Attending a comprehensive research university like CU Boulder provides the opportunity to develop these skills in collaboration with the global community of academics and professionals driving many of these changes.

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Heather E McGowan on the Future of Work

Benefits of Engagement

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Explore interests beyond the classroom

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Refine your academic and career goals

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Acquire in-demand credentials

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Get hands-on experience in your field

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Develop faculty mentor relationships

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Build self-confidence and your network

“More than 80 percent of employers expect students to have strong skills in communication, problem solving, and critical thinking; and more than 90 percent of employers think these skills are more valuable than a student’s specific major."

Reflection Questions

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What skills would you like to develop?


What job skills do you already consider strengths?

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How might you gain skills while exploring your interests?


How can your current skillset enable your engagement?


Open Opportunities

Explore funded, open opportunities mentored by CU Boulder faculty!


The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) represents an opportunity to enable student-centered education that makes the most of CU Boulder’s global leadership in research and creative production. With well-documented benefits from persistence to postgraduate success, engagement in the research and creative life of the university can clarify career paths and prepare students for the future of work. Donations support empowering opportunities in all fields of study. .