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Terms and Definitions

The new REAL Portal has different features that make it easier to navigate and groups similar experiences cross different programs. Specific categories and tags were created within the system to better organize these types of opportunities.

REAL Portal Opportunity Types

The new REAL Portal organizes all approved positions into one of the following twelve different opportunity types. Students can search by opportunity type, in addition to specific EL Programs like the Academic Internship Program (AIP), Co-Curricular Record (CCR), and additional campus opportunities.

  • Internship
    • A learning opportunity that allows a student to gain hands-on, practical experience in a field of interest while receiving support from a supervisor and/or organization to achieve professional growth.
    • Research Internships should categorized as an Internship. These are opportunities that are affiliated with a UC San Diego faculty member and a selected researcher in industry or at a research institution. 
  • Research
    • Opportunities that allow students to access, synthesize, and evaluate multiple sources of information to solve problems and/or create new insights.
    • Research positions should be categorized as Research. These are opportunities that are only affiliated with a UC San Diego faculty member. 
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Opportunities that encourage students to develop new ways of thinking/working, showing initiative to create.
  • Global Experience
    • Opportunities that encourage students to engage with systems and cultures from across the world.
  • Campus Employment
    • Opportunities for students to hold a paid position at UC San Diego, often developing skills that can translate across career paths.
  • Leadership
    • Opportunities that encourage students to work toward a shared purpose and vision, often with an active role in managing/guiding others.
  • Community Engagement
    • Opportunities that allow students to engage in service activities characterized by reciprocity and making a positive difference in the community.
  • Social Innovation
    • Opportunities that allow students to meet social needs in a better way than existing solutions with the goal of extending and strengthening civil society.
  • Mentorship
    • Opportunities that allow students to receive/offer guidance based on experiences toward personal and/or professional growth.
  • Coaching
    • Opportunities that allow students to collaboratively identify their strengths, actively practice new skills, and effectively navigate appropriate resources to result in skill development.
  • Advising
    • Opportunities that allow students to receive/offer guidance to develop overall objectives and goals. These can be academic, personal, professional, etc. goals.
  • Student Organizations
    • Opportunities led and operated by student organizations at UC San Diego.