One-semester program offers academic credit, resume-building, and certifications in high-growth areas
The University of Utah has partnered with Podium Education to launch the Global Career Accelerator, a credit-bearing, one-semester field experience designed to help undergraduates gain real-world skills and career clarity.
Delivered entirely online and open to students of all majors, the Global Career Accelerator gives participants the opportunity to work on hands-on projects for real companies like Intel, L’Oréal, OpenAI, Publicis Sapient, and The GRAMMYs, while earning academic credit and industry-recognized certifications.
“This program is innovative in that it allows students to gain international experience without leaving Utah. It provides exposure to the tools, technologies, and current challenges that global organizations are working with—bridging classroom learning with real-world application,” said Randy McCrillis, Interim Associate Vice President for University Connected Learning and Senior International Officer at the U.
Real-World Experience + Certifications
Students who participate in the Global Career Accelerator complete collaborative, real-world assignments that simulate the work of early-career professionals. Every student finishes the program with:
- Hands-on experience with global companies
- A portfolio of completed projects
- Verified certifications in areas such as UX/UI design, data visualization, and AI tools
- Digital badges to showcase on LinkedIn and resumes
- A certificate of completion
The program also includes soft skills training in communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and intercultural collaboration.
Global Learning Meets Career Preparation
Through a blend of asynchronous content and weekly live sessions—called Global LiveLabs—enrolled students work with peers from more than 70 institutions around the world. This includes teams from Harvard, Georgetown, UT Austin, and other leading universities.
Participants also gain access to an exclusive network of career tools and paid opportunities, including a project partnership with Upwork designed to connect students directly with employers seeking early-career talent.
The program is already a success story, garnering substantial interest from students. “We announced the opportunity just one week before the start of the fall term and received more than 300 inquiries. Final enrollment was just over 100 students,” said U assistant professor Rochelle Cassells, who oversees the program.
“My instructor has been amazing, and I enjoy collaborating with my peers and learning from everyone’s perspectives. The live labs, milestone projects, and guided SkillBuilder modules make learning both engaging and structured. I have developed strong Tableau and Excel skills and learned how to apply data insights to real-world scenarios,” said Prachi Aswani, a Data Science and Information Systems major who joined the first cohort of Global Career Accelerator at the U.
Proven Career Impact
Podium Education is the leading experiential learning platform helping universities prepare undergraduates for the future of work. Through its flagship Global Career Accelerator and partnerships with top institutions, Podium delivers scalable, credit-bearing experiences that bridge the college-to-career gap.
The company’s data demonstrates that the Global Career Accelerator is already showing powerful outcomes for students nationwide:
- 95% of alumni say it was beneficial to their career
- 84% say it enhanced the value of their degree
- 70% say they felt more competitive for jobs and internships
How to Participate
Enrollment for Spring 2026 is now open. The course is financial aid eligible, but students are advised to speak with their financial aid advisor to confirm details.
To learn more and begin your application, visit careeraccelerator.utah.edu