Career & Work- Based Learning Experiences
Career- Connected Learning= Career Exploration + Work-Based Learning
Career and WBL experiences allow you to explore careers through various opportunities both in the classroom and on a job site. The best part is that you get to start building your connections now with industry professionals! All experiences are coordinated with you in mind! Quality career and WBL experiences must include academic preparation, partnerships between education and industry, and academic follow-up.
What is Work-Based Learning?
The passage of Senate File 2411 in May 2024 clarified a consistent definition of work-based learning as, “sustained project-based learning in partnership with an employer, simulated work experiences aligned with industry-recognized credentials, high-quality pre-apprenticeships aligned to an apprenticeship, student learner programs, internships, and apprenticeships.”
What is Career Exploration?
Career Fairs
Business Tours
Job Shadow
Mock Interviews
Employability Skills
Guest Speakers
Authentice Projects
Awareness
Classroom Speaker or Demonstration
Community partner talks about their company, industry, specific career, etc. Classroom speakers are embedded into many CTE course offerings.
Informational Interview
Students meet with a community partner over the phone or on zoom to ask questions and inquire about aspects of a career path. Students may request an informational interview through the job shadow request form below.
Career Immersion Experience
These are career events allowing for hands-on interaction through simulators and activities to expose students to a variety of career paths in a specific sector, or a across all service areas. DCSD participates in many of these events such as the JA Inspire Career Expo, Automotive & Transportation Expo, Build My Future, etc.Exploration
Authentic Projects
Students engage with industry partners through meaningful projects completed by students. These projects are typically graded and embedded into CTE courses. Examples: Welding students work on a number of welding projects throughtout the year. Child Development students create educational games for students in preschool. Business students come up with a business plan and present their plan to industry partners.
Career- Based Service Learning
This career exploration experience engages students in project-based learning to improve their communities by addressing community needs and connecting the learning experience to related careers. Pictured- FCCLA students did a service learning project with a local nursing home.
Worksite Exploratory Event
Community partners shows where they work! Tour may include offices, factor floor, break rooms, etc. The tour will not only showcase the facility but the equipment, technology, and people within the company.
Job Shadow
Students (1-1 or in small group setting) meet with a community partner to have career specific conversations. They typically spend half the day with the partner and may be even help with some projects to learn about all aspects of the job or career their are shadowing.Preparation & Training
Mock Interviews & Professional Skills Workshops
These are career preparation experiences that introduce student to essential skills needed to be successful in the workplace. Examples include resume and cover letter writing, job shadow preparation, workplace ethics, workplace skills, and mock interviews.
Internship
Interships provide students the opportunity to gain professiona and technical skills while under the supevision of an industry professionl in a career path of interest. Internships typically last 1 or 2 terms and students must complete Employability Skills or Employment Strategies to be eligible.
Apprenticeship/ Pre- Apprenticeship
Students gain experience in their selected career field by getting hands on and working. Apprenticeships typically start the summer after their junior year and last about a year and half. They will work half the day during the school day and full time at other times.Apprenticeship Opportunities
I want to get involved!
Thanks for your interest in getting involved in a career experience at Davenport Community Schools!
Students: Career experiences are embedded into your CTE program courses, so just by taking CTE classes you automatically are eligible for these opportunities. Be sure to check with your counselors, your CTE teacher, and check your district email upcoming experiences. Also check out the CALENDAR OF EVENTS page see upcoming live career experiences! Fill out the forms below to get involved now!
Businesses: Davenport Community Schools would love the opportunity to partner with you! Review our PROGRAMS AND PATHWAYS PAGE to find out more about the programs we offer. Below is a google form you can fill out to let us know how involved you want to be for the upcoming school year. You can also request a meeting with our Work-Based Learning Coordinator to learn more.
Morgan Kuhlman
Work Based Learning Coordinator & Carl Perkins Facilitator
563-336-7456
Upcoming Opportunities
Check out these upcoming opportunities that you may want to be involved in! Be sure to regularly visit the CALENDAR OF EVENTS page for more ways to get involved!
Job Shadow Request
Job shadows are a chance to learn about a specific career directly from a professional in that role! Job shadows can either be face to face (with parent permission) or virtual. Face-to-face job shadow- spend approx. 4 hours with a professional on site. You must provide/arrange your own transportation to and from the job shadow. Virtual job shadow- spend 45-60 minutes with a professional on a Google Meet.
Q1 CTE Newsletter - 2024-25.pdfQ1 CTE Update 23.24.pdfQ2 CTE Update 23.24.pdfQ3 CTE Update 23.24.pdfQ4 CTE Update 23.24.pdfResources for Career Exploration
Future Ready Iowa
Explore careers and job demand throughout Iowa on this interactive website. Check out wages, job outlook, and so much more! To find the site, click the icon above or visit:FutureReadyIowa.gov/Explore_Careers
Build Iowa
The Build Iowa website has so much information about careers in the skilled trades! No account or sign on is required, simply visit the website and explore. To find the site, click the icon above or visit:BuildIowa.org
Nepris
Nepris has a huge selection of recordings of industry chats for so many different career pathways! This resource is free but does require you to create a student account. To access the site, simply click the icon above or visit:Nepris.com