School to Career

Work-based learning opportunities for undergraduates at Connecticut public colleges and universities

Schools provide an array of opportunities for a student to observe and/or participate in the workplace. Career exploration through work-based experiences is a wonderful way to learn. Opportunities are listed below. When you plan your schedule, consider the options your campus provides to link you into the world of work.

Mission Statement

One of the many goals of education is to prepare students to successfully enter the workforce. A strong academic foundation and preparation for career opportunities are important educational components for Connecticut students. Students can benefit from participation in educational programs which provide a work-based experience and a more deliberate selection of course work based on potential career interests. Extending learning opportunities beyond the classroom walls reinforces and enhances essential academic knowledge and skills that can be transferred across a wide range of professions. Student achievement can be raised through participation in learning experiences that require application of knowledge and skills in real-life situations.

Colleges and universities recognize the added benefit that such experiences can bring to a student, including increased motivation and the integration of theory with practice.

Students seek a clear connection between their future career(s) and their academic classes. The opportunity to explore and experience a world of work is beneficial to career decision-making. Observing at a workplace provides a firsthand look at what skills are needed, how knowledge learned in school is put into action in the workplace, and informs the student about career choice. Work-based learning also is a resume builder.

Contact any of the departments in the Listing of Opportunities for more information about work-based learning.

Background

Job Shadowing, Community Service, Internship, Cooperative Education, Practicum, Clinical Practicum, and Practice Teaching are all collegiate work-based learning opportunities. Work-based learning programs deliberately use the workplace as a site for student learning. Programs are formal, structured, and deliberately organized by instructional staff, employers, and sometimes other groups to link the workplace to students’ college-based learning experiences. Work-based learning programs have formal activities which usually generate credit, but not always, and can be arrayed along a continuum from shorter-term, introductory types of experiences to longer-term, more intensive ones, including paid work experiences.

School to Career (STC) is a combined effort of the Connecticut Departments of Labor, Education and Higher Education and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA). School to Career has as it’s vision to have each and every student focused on a career and learning the specific skills needed to succeed in that career.

Learning by participating is a major tenet of the School to Career philosophy. Work-based experiences, such as internships, provide a wonderful learning environment. Observing the world of work provides a firsthand look at what skills are needed, how knowledge learned in school is put into action in the workplace and informs the student about career choice.

Work-based experiences are increasing in number. The Connecticut Department of Education and the Connecticut Department of Labor are committed to helping students learn more about careers. Career exploration comes through learning about yourself and learning about the varied opportunities and realities in the workplace. Work-based opportunities are also popular with many businesses; it is an avenue for them to learn what college students are learning.

Contact any of the departments in the Listing of Opportunities for more information about work-based learning.

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