Each year, senior FYCS majors at the University of Florida (UF) complete their practicum at a community-oriented organization that they align with. We prepare seniors for this required internship by helping them make connections with local organizations at our fall and spring Volunteer and Networking Fairs, which we host alongside the David and Wanda Brown Center for Leadership and Service. Students can bring their resume and learn about internship opportunities at over 60 organizations every Fall and Spring. Seniors also complete a career readiness course that teaches them how to prepare a resume, complete an interview, and compile a portfolio of their experience. These skills prepare them not only for their practicum, but eventually their future career.
In 2025, 64 FYCS students completed 17,479 hours of service work at their practicum sites. Practicum sites ranged across Florida, the United States, and even the world. Students worked at organizations to address issues such as homelessness, youth literacy, and food insecurity in communities in Gainesville and beyond. Some examples of local practicum sites included PEAK Literacy, Genesis Family Enrichment Center, and ACES in Motion.
My practicum experience was the most formative, meaningful, and valuable part of my undergraduate journey. It allowed me to apply concepts and skills I gained in the classroom to real-world issues, and as a result, I became more confident in my abilities to support my community. This experience reminded me that no job is too small and no support is too simple. – FYCS Student
The Practicum Annual Report showcases the impact our students make on the Gainesville community, and across the world. Students dedicate their time to bettering the well-being of populations that their host organization serves. In turn, students gain valuable skills while working alongside their mentors and supervisors at their chosen location. Through this relationship between students and organizations, we produce compassionate leaders who turn their education into real-world progress.
You can learn more about practicum and read our annual report on our practicum on our website.
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