The CNS EDGE Program empowers undergraduate students in the College of Natural Sciences at UT Austin to develop eight essential professional skills through meaningful experiential learning and reflection.
To complete the program, students must:
- Complete 8 experiences, one for each skill category
- Complete at least 1 Advanced Experience
- The remaining experiences may be Mini or Advanced Experiences
- All Mini Experiences must be completed while enrolled in the program
- Advanced Experiences completed prior to enrollment may count
Skill Categories
These eight skill areas were designed based on the competencies most valued by graduate schools, medical schools, and employers. Through hands-on experiences and thoughtful reflection, students will actively develop these skills in real-world contexts.
- Commitment to Learning & Growth
Continuous personal and professional development through goal-setting, reflection, and networking. - Oral & Written Communication
Clear and effective exchange of ideas, active listening, and adapting communication styles. - Critical Thinking & Scientific Inquiry
Problem-solving using data, context, and scientific methods. - Global Fluency & Cultural Awareness
Inclusive engagement with diverse cultures and backgrounds. - Leadership
Inspiring and guiding others toward shared goals. - Professionalism
Ethical behavior and effective work habits across varied environments. - Teamwork & Collaboration
Building relationships and working toward common goals with diverse teams. - Technology & AI
Ethical use of technology and AI to enhance productivity and achieve goals.
Types of Experiential Learning
Experiential learning comes in many forms, and we encourage students to think beyond our list of suggested options. The program offers two types of experiences—Mini and Advanced—each designed to support skill development at different levels of depth and engagement. Students are welcome to pursue new or unconventional experiences, as long as they can clearly connect the experience to a skill area in their reflective essay.
Mini Experiences
- Foundational skill development outside the classroom
- Minimum of 1 hour
- Examples include workshops, career coaching, LinkedIn Learning, microinternships, hackathon, volunteering, student leadership, and more!
Advanced Experiences
- In-depth, high-impact learning
- Minimum of 160 hours
- Can count toward any skill category with a reflective connection
- Examples include internships, co-ops, field experience, faculty-led research, international educational experiences, service-learning, volunteering, student employment, leadership roles, and more!
Program Steps
The CNS EDGE Program is designed to be flexible and student-driven. Below are the key steps to guide you through registration, participation, and completion. Whether you're just getting started or planning for graduation, this roadmap will help you stay on track.
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1
Register
- Join the CNS EDGE Canvas Course
- Review Orientation Materials and complete the quiz
- Fill Out the Pre-Program Survey to help us support your journey
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2
Engage in Experiences
Experiential learning is meant to be expansive. While CNS EDGE provides a suggested list of experiences in Canvas, students are encouraged to pursue opportunities that are meaningful to them—even if they’re not listed.
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3
Submit Reflections
After each experience, students reflect on their learning and skill development. Reflections help connect the experience to the relevant skill category and are reviewed by a Program Administrator.
- Write a 500-Word Reflection
Or record a 5-minute audio/video reflection. - Upload to Canvas
Submit to the appropriate Skill Assignment. - Receive Feedback and Approval
Reflections are reviewed and marked as complete once approved.
- Write a 500-Word Reflection
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4
Complete Graduation Requirements
In your final semester, complete the following steps to be recognized as a CNS EDGE graduate:
- Fill Out the UT Austin Graduation Survey
Accessed through the 12Twenty platform. - Update Your 12Twenty Profile
Include all undergraduate experiences. - Resume Review
Have your resume reviewed by CNS Career Services and make updates. - Submit a Final Reflection
A 500-word essay on how your EDGE experiences shaped your skills, personal growth, and career path. - Complete the CNS EDGE Exit Survey
- Fill Out the UT Austin Graduation Survey
Ready to Get Started?
The CNS EDGE Program is open to all CNS undergraduate students in good standing. It’s self-paced and can be started at any time during your degree. We recommend at least 1 academic year to complete the program. The CNS EDGE Canvas Course will launch on Sept 15, 2025. Please sign up below to be added to the program when it launches.