Experiential Learning Record (ELR)

The Experiential Learning Record (ELR) is a faculty-endorsed certificate and official university document that allows students to record learning activities that take place both within and beyond the classroom. This personalized document can be used for a variety of purposes to further professional development, whether that be employment-focused, scholarship applications, or in the pursuit of further educational opportunities as a whole.  

For more information on the ELR, please contact us at bcomexp@ualberta.ca or  mbaexp@ualberta.ca. 

Access your ELR today on CareerConnect

What are the benefits of the ELR?
  • Complements the academic transcript by illustrating a more holistic view of their learning and associated competencies. 
  • Assists students in reflecting on what tangible skills they developed through participation & engagement in extracurricular and CCR activities (i.e. public speaking, Microsoft Powerpoint during a case presentation). 
  • Provides students with a validated and undisputed formal record of their learning experiences. 
  • Provides language for students to frame and market their experience within cover letters, job interviews, scholarship applications, graduate studies applications, etc.
What types of activities can be used for the ELR?
  • Curricular-Based Community Engaged Learning
  • Curricular-Based Cultural Immersion 
  • Faculty Partnerships 
  • Organization Partnerships 
  • Campus Leadership 
  • Training & Professional Development 
  • Athletics
  • Campus Community Engagement
  • Self-Validated Activities
For more information, review the ELR Categories and Category Key
What competencies and skills can you gain?

There are 44 different competencies within the ELR. Each competency notes a specific transferable skill that may be developed as a result of your engagement in a co-curricular experience. These competencies fall under 5 main categories:

  1. Communication
  2. Business Concepts and Theories
  3. Entrepreneurial Thinking
  4. Ethical Awareness
  5. Teamwork

For more information, review the ELR Competencies and Skills Key.

What makes an activity eligible for the ELR?

ELR experiences must meet the following inclusion criteria:

  • Connection to the University.
  • Be linked to one or more intentional competency/skill(s).
  • Involve Active Engagement on the part of the participant (they have to actually "do" something).
  • Overseen by UofA staff, Faculty or a Designated Student Organization. 🟒
  • Students must meet activity-specific minimum requirements, such as hours of participation or reflection criteria; determined by the nature of the activity.
Students may include activities in their ELR that are not overseen by a UofA staff, Faculty or  Designated Student Organization, however, they will be considered Self-validated activities and neither the activity purpose nor the learning component can be verified by the Alberta School of Business.
ELR Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use the ELR?
  • The ELR gives you a chance to stand out against the crowd by focusing on your strengths and interests and allowing you to reflect on the skills gained during your student life at the Alberta School of Business.
Will employers look at my ELR?
  • Employers are looking for well-rounded candidates and one of the best ways to display your diverse skill set is to reflect on your experiences and identify transferable skills you have gained.
If I am involved in a club right now and I am graduating this semester, can I still apply for the ELR?
  • Yes, Students that are graduating this year and are currently completing Experiential Learning Activities can request to have the activity recorded on their personal ELR record
If I was a part of a club in previous years, can I apply to have those positions on my ELR?
  • In terms of previous involvement with student clubs, we are only actively cataloguing activities from Fall 2020/Winter 2021. All other requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
How much time does it take to record an experience?
  • The process is very quick, 3-5 minutes maximum!
How do I submit an activity that is not on CareerConnect?
ELR Guides
For a comprehensive walkthrough of the ELR process and record, please access the ELR Walkthrough Guide

This document covers:
  • adding/deleting positions
  • requesting/changing positions and
  • printing the ELR record
For more information, access the Experiential Learning Record resources on CareerConnect.