Utah Tech’s active learning. active life. (AL²) model and the framework from National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) work together in a very practical way—they turn college from something you complete into something you can demonstrate.
AL² + NACE = Career Readiness
AL² = Real Experience, Not Just Coursework
AL² is built on the idea that learning happens everywhere—not just in class. Students gain experience through:
- Internships
- Campus jobs
- Clubs and leadership roles
- Service and community engagement
- Events and hands-on projects
Why it matters?
Employers don’t just want degrees—they want proof of skills. AL² gives students real situations where they practice those skills.
NACE Defines What Employers Are Looking For
NACE identifies the key competencies employers consistently expect from college graduates, such as:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Critical thinking
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Career & self-development
- Technology
Why it matters?
This gives a clear target—students know exactly what “career ready” looks like.
Competency Definitions
AL² Builds NACE Competencies Naturally
Instead of learning skills in isolation, AL² helps students develop them through experience:
- Leading a club → Leadership + Teamwork
- Internship or campus job → Professionalism + Communication
- Group projects → Critical Thinking + Collaboration
- Volunteer work → Career Awareness
The key difference:
Students aren’t just learning about these skills—they’re actively using them.
Reflection Turns Experience into Value
One of the most important pieces is connecting the dots:
- What did I do?
- What skills did I build?
- How do I explain that to an employer?
Why it matters?
This is where students become confident storytellers—able to clearly explain how their college experience prepared them.
Students Graduate with Proof, Not Just Potential
By combining AL² experiences with NACE competencies, students leave Utah Tech with:
- Real examples to share in interviews
- Confidence in their abilities
- A clear understanding of their strengths
- Skills aligned with workforce expectations
The Bottom Line
AL² gives students the experiences.
NACE defines the skills that matter.
Together, they ensure students don’t just graduate with a degree—they graduate ready to step into a career and confidently say:
“Here’s what I’ve done, here’s what I can do, and here’s the value I bring.”
Quick Facts
Did You Know? Nearly 90% of employers look for evidence of problem-solving skills on a resume, and nearly 80% look for strong teamwork skills.
AL² Connection: Every class project, internship, research opportunity, club experience, and leadership role helps you develop these highly sought-after skills.
Did You Know? The top four skills employers consider “must-haves” for college graduates are: Critical Thinking, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Communication.
AL² Connection: These skills are built across all eight AL² Impact Areas–from Career and Professional Development and Leadership to Community Engagement and Wellness.
Did You Know? More employers are not only focusing on what degree you earn, but also what you can actually do. Nearly two-thirds of employers now use skills-based hiring practices when recruiting new graduates.
AL² Connection: The experiences you gain through active learning. active life. help you demonstrate sills employers want to see.
Did You Know? Experiential learning is one of the best ways to develop career-ready skills, and more than 84% of students report participating in internships, research, on-campus employment, or other hands-on learning experiences.
AL² Connection: At Utah Tech, experiential learning isn’t an extra–it’s part of who we are. AL² encourages you to learn by doing.
Did You Know? Employers consistently seek graduates who can communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and adapt to new challenges.
AL² Connection: Whether you’re participating in Campus Involvement, an International & Culture Experience, Service & Volunteerism, or a Leadership opportunity, you’re strengthening these career-ready skills.
Did You Know? Career readiness isn’t tied to one major. Employers use the NACE competencies as a way to identify talent across all fields and industries.
AL² Connection: No matter what you’re studying, AL² helps you connect your experiences to the skills employers value most.
Did You Know? Students often gain career-ready skills outside the classroom through involvement, service, leadership, research, and work experiences.
AL² Connection: That’s exactly why AL² recognizes experiences across eight Impact Areas–because your college journey is bigger than any single class.
Did You Know? Every AL² Impact Area helps you develop multiple NACE Career Competencies.
AL² Connection: By participating in AL², you’re not just collecting experiences–you’re building the skills, confidence, and stories that help you stand out to employers and prepare for life after Utah Tech.
Contact
Program Email Address
Email: active@utahtech.edu