Experiential Learning
Learn outside of the classroom
Our program encourages students to seek learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Whether by interning with a local or national organization, making an impact in the Buffalo community or taking your education overseas, you will gain experience and skills that will help develop your career goals.
On this page:
Put your experience into practice beyond the classroom. Through internships, you can apply what you learn in real work settings and see how industries, research and communities are shaped. You will gain:
- Hands-on experience with over 600 partner agencies throughout Western New York
- Practical skills and workplace insights
- A clearer sense of potential career paths and next steps after graduation
Discover how your field works in a global context. With more than 400 SUNY programs around the world, there’s no limit to what you can learn. You will be able to:
- Gain a broader perspective on chemistry
- Obtain international experience that employers love
- Explore opportunities outside of your major
Step 1: Explore your options
Start by browsing through more than 400 study abroad programs available through the SUNY system. Whether you're looking for a semester in Europe, a summer in Asia or a year-long adventure, there's something for everyone.
Step 2: Get expert advice
Connect with a Study Abroad advisor in 201 Talbert Hall to talk through your goals, timelines and questions.
Work one-on-one with faculty on research projects. It’s a great way to dive deep into topics you care about and build academic experience for grad school or beyond. You will gain:
- Gain hands-on experience with research methodology and data analysis
- Contribute to knowledge creation in your field
- Develop professional skills such as collaboration, organization and time management
Step 1: Find your research focus
Think about what interests you most. To find your research interests, ask yourself:
- Which class did you enjoy the most? Even if the whole course wasn’t your favorite, were there specific topics that stood out?
- In which class did you perform your best?
- What subject made you want to put in extra effort?
Step 2: Connect with faculty
Look into faculty research in your department (or others) and reach out using your UB email.
You can also browse available research positions through UB’s Experiential Learning Network (ELN) Project Portal, where faculty post projects open to undergraduates. As UB’s central hub for hands-on learning, ELN helps you find meaningful opportunities to gain experience, develop valuable skills and enhance your career prospects.
Step 3: Engage with faculty and secure your research spot
Meet with a facilty member and be ready to talk about:
- Why you want to work with them
- Which of their research projects caught your attention
- Your career goals and how this research fits into them
Support communities and make a difference. Through service learning, you can volunteer, help address community challenges and take part in programs like alternative breaks and the Community Work Study Scholar Program. You will gain:
- Experience working with community partners
- A deeper understanding of social and civic issues
- Leadership, teamwork and communication skills
Krista Paszkowsky
Assistant Director for Experiential Learning and Scholarships
College of Arts and Sciences
Email: kristapa@buffalo.edu
Talk with your academic advisor and our College Experiential Learning team today about how these opportunities can fit into your major. You never know where they might lead.