FloridaACE 2026

For many students, on-campus employment is viewed merely as a paycheck rather than a professional stepping stone. However, when intentionally structured, these roles serve as a primary laboratory for career readiness. This session explores Work+, an innovative, university-driven initiative at the University of Central Florida designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and hands-on work experience. Participants will go behind the scenes of a program that shifts the focus from task-based supervision to competency-based mentorship. By equipping supervisors with curated tools and pedagogical resources, Work+ empowers them to facilitate career-enriching environments that prioritize NACE Career Readiness Competencies. We will discuss the framework used to train supervisors within the Division of Student Success and Well-Being, where 90% of participants reported feeling better equipped to incorporate professional development into daily operations. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies to scale supervisor training, enhance student self-efficacy, and turn every campus job into a high-impact experiential learning opportunity.