better together: how to build a strong work-based learning program

Better Together: How to Build a Strong Work-Based

Learning Program

Who we are:Kim Bennett-Internship Coordinator

Pathways Academy of Technology & Design, Hartford, CT

(860) 695-9495 [email protected]

(Academy of Information Technology) www.pathwaystotechnology.com

Darwin Kovacs-Advisory Board Co-Chair

Project Manager, The Hartford, Hartford, CT


Bernie Sheridan- Advisory Board Member

Program and Account Management, Travelers Insurance, Hartford, CT


mailto:[email protected]



Description and Objectives Highlight the importance of establishing strong collaborative

relationships between the school, Industry Advisory Board, and the business community to enhance work-based learning experiences for students

Provide ideas on how to develop ways to bring students and professionals together

Allow time to share thoughts, ideas, and successes to keep dialogue focused on increasing student success within a work-based learning program

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Format of Learning Seminar

Discussion versus Lecture

Goal-100% of participants will learn or take back to their Academy 2 new strategies of how to bring students and Advisory Board members/Community members together

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“Growth is not defined by what we know today. It is what we gain through learning and life experiences that will define our tomorrow.”

-Anonymous

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Overview of Work-Based Learning Program

9th Grade Career Day

10th Grade Career Interest Inventory Job Shadow Day Prepare Resume

11th Grade Internship Preparation Summer Internships

12th Grade Reflections on Internships: Post-Internship meeting, Presentation

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Pathways Advisory BoardUse them to the FULLEST!

They serve on the Board for a reason

Want to help school and students Recruit potential employers Network with friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. LinkedIn Groups- Pathways IAB Create a “target” list for upcoming school year

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Pathways Advisory Board26 professionals from 14 companies, 2 colleges / universities, the school district, and the school. Also represent industry groups such as SIM, BDPA, and PMI

IAB Member Role: Acquire internships Host Job Shadows Speak at Career Day Speak on classroom topics Participate in Resume Workshops and Mock Interviews Review Curriculum Assist in Recruiting Obtain Scholarships Meet with groups of students – Advisory, Lunch n’ Learn Advise Project Teams Mentor Individual students Receive e-mail ‘Status Reports’

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Start small and work your way up

Tours of the school Invite employers to speak to classes Volunteer at a 9th grade Career Day Host a 10th grade Job Shadow student for the day Lunch n’ Learn Serve as Project Mentors/Authentic Audience to

classes Resume writing Mock Interviews Serve as mentors to small groups of students

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Use documents to support your Work-Based Learning Program

Examples:

Advisory Board Brochure

Sponsorship Brochure

Internship Brochure

www.pathwaystotechnology.com

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9th Grade Career Day

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9th Grade Career DayOver 25 professionals from various fields: Law Graphic Design Engineering Pediatric Dentistry Director of IT from local town Banking Human Resources Database Analyst/Software Engineer Information Protection/Network Security Gamification Education Technology Project Manager, Desktop Support IT Business Analyst

GUEST SPEAKER: Meteorologist from local TV station

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Outline for Career Day Speakers

•Introduce yourself and your company.

•What are you responsible for?

•What is a typical day like?

•What skills do I need?

•What are education requirements for the job?

•What kind of money can I expect (entry level/experienced)?

•How did you get here?

Answer in 10 minutes, then rotate to next speaker

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10th Grade Job Shadow Day

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10th Grade Job Shadow Day

“This job shadow has helped me open my eyes to the real world and expand my options. I now realize the more experience you have, the more opportunities will open for you.”

-Pathways Sophomore

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Job Shadow Day Questionnaire

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Job Shadow Day cont.Each student receives:

List of questions to ask the professionals

Reflection Form

“Thank you” card

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Lunch N’ Learns

Monthly lunches for our “professional” students in cafeteria

Advisory Board members volunteer to pay for lunch and have an “Executive Lunch”

(15 students-5 professionals)

Discuss college and career with students

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11th Grade Student PreparationJunior Pre-Internship Questionnaire Academic strengths Personal strengths Career Interests/Goals Internship placement ideas

Junior Year Experience Course Resume writing Mock interviews Mock college application process

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Resume Workshops & Mock Interviews

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Guest SpeakersTopics covered: “Interviewing Tips & Techniques” “Branding Yourself” & “Networking” “Business Etiquette” “Professionalism in the Workplace”

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Applying and Interviewing for Internship Positions

“Through this whole internship

process: applying, interviewing,

and actually interning, I have

now gained the confidence in

myself and knowledge of how it

feels to be working in the

business world.”

-Pathways Senior

-Pathways Senior

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Internship OrientationPanel Discussion with Professionals: “What to Expect in a Corporate Internship” “How to be an All-Star Intern” “What I’ve Learned Since Graduating From High School”

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Employers want to see SOLID program in place

Student Internship GuideInternship Eligibility RequirementsInternship AgreementStudent Code of ConductStudent ApplicationTeacher Recommendation FormsJournal EntriesFinal Reflection PaperSupervisor EvaluationInternship Presentation

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During the Internship

•Maintain communication with the employer AND student

•Schedule a site visit

•Communication is the key to success!

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After the Internship• Post-internship reflection meetings

Send supervisor feedback

• Invite Employers to the Student Internship Presentations

• *** Employers need to hear the VALUE and BENEFITS these opportunities have***

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“This internship at Hartford Hospital has changed my whole future. Through hands-on learning, I gained the confidence I needed to be successful in the working world. After completing this internship, I NOW want to pursue a career in the IT field.”

–Pathways Senior

My internship provided me with the knowledge and real world experience that cannot be developed through a text book and classroom learning.”

-Pathways Senior

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Importance of a “Thank You”A “Thank You” goes a LONG way! After Career Day After Lunch N’ Learn After Job Shadow After field trips After the interview Upon completion of the internship

Encourage hand-written Thank You notes

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The POWER of Employer Testimonials

“He as a lot of potential to be a great software developer. I was impressed with

how quickly he absorbed and incorporated new ideas”-Tallan

“Your student was great to work with! We expected a lot from him in a short

amount of time, and he not only completed the task but outperformed the

expectations”-Aetna

“I, as well as the other staff, truly enjoyed working with the 3 Pathways students.

Each of their unique personalities, special skills, and talents, had a great impact

on the program at the Science Center”-CT Science Center

“Your student’s resumes and interviews were far better than any college level and

beyond ones I have seen!”-American Eagle Federal Credit Union

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You have to start small….

Be patient It takes time Use current relationships to expand network Utilize all staff members to help build

relationships “Meet & Greet” for IAB members and Academy

Staff “Friend-raiser” for Advisory Board Members

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Think, Pair, ShareTake 15 minutes to share in small groups:

Summarize your Work-Based Learning Program Ways you have brought students together with

professionals Success stories you have had in your Work

Based Learning Program

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Questions?

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Final Reflections

When I get home, two things I plan to DO with the information I learned are…

The most significant aspect of this presentation for me was…