High-Impact Practices

As a UWF Talent Catalyst student, you’re gaining more than experience—you’re completing two High-Impact Practices (HIPs): internships and learning communities. HIPs are nationally recognized, hands-on learning experiences that connect your coursework to real-world goals. You’ll build skills, grow your network, reflect with purpose, and graduate confident, career-ready, and ahead of the game.

Learning Communities

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A Supportive Space for Growth and Reflection

As part of the UWF Talent Catalyst learning community, you’ll meet regularly with your peers, mentors, and faculty to explore professional development topics, share insights, and reflect on your experiences.

What this means for you:

You’ll grow alongside a supportive group of fellow students
You’ll explore big questions—about leadership, communication, ethics, and success
You’ll learn from mentors, guest speakers, and group conversations
You’ll connect your classroom knowledge to your workplace experience in meaningful ways

Internships

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Real-World Experience That Matters

Your paid internship is more than a job—it's a structured learning experience. You'll apply what you’ve learned in your major in a real workplace, receive mentoring from professionals, and reflect on how the work supports your long-term goals.

What this means for you:

You’re gaining career-relevant experience before you graduate
You’ll have stronger stories for your résumé, interviews, and networking
You’ll learn professional habits and workplace culture firsthand
You’ll build connections that could lead to future opportunities

The Role of Critical Reflection (QEP)

UWF has made critical reflection a core part of its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)—and your UWF Talent Catalyst experience puts it into action.

What is critical reflection?
It’s the process of thinking deeply about your experiences to understand what you learned, how you’ve grown, and where you’re headed.

“Critical reflection is a reasoning process to make meaning of an experience. It’s descriptive, analytical, iterative, and ongoing.”

In this program, you’ll reflect through:

Written assignments
Personal reflection papers
Mentor conversations
Group discussions

Why it matters: Reflection helps you make the most of your internship by turning your day-to-day experiences into lifelong insights and career clarity. It helps you assimilate what you’ve learned and accelerate your growth.

Recognition for Your Achievements

Your hard work and growth deserve to be recognized. By completing the UWF Talent Catalyst:

✅ You’ll earn two HIP designations on your official record
✅ You’ll receive a special double honor cord (green & blue) to wear at graduation
✅ You’ll meet the Florida state metric for HIPs completion

These designations show future employers and graduate schools that you took initiative, engaged in real-world learning, and built key professional skills.

As a UWF Talent Catalyst student, you’re not just doing assignments—you’re building your future.

You’re gaining experience that matters.
You’re joining a community that supports your growth.
You’re reflecting on who you are, where you’re going, and how you’ll get there.

We’re proud of what you’re doing—and excited to see where you go next.

Visit the UWF Career Development and Community Engagement website to learn more about High-Impact Practices at UWF.