What is Work-Based Learning?

Work-Based Learning is a continuum of experiences in grades 9-12 that includes:

Career Awareness and Exploration:  build awareness of  careers, career opportunities and educational pathways and learn about the world of work by interacting with employers and industries in local communities

Examples:

• guest speakers

• career fairs

• career exploration curriculum

• workplace tours

• job shadowing

• Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)

• student run enterprises

Career Preparation:  apply academic knowledge through completing supported practical experiences

Examples:

• job search skills

• resume building

• mock interviews

• group and individual internships

• project based learning with community and industry

• dual credit, certificates, industry credentials, capstone projects, etc

Career Training:  learn in the workplace , focusing on specific  careers through on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and credentialing 

Examples:

• individual internships

• apprenticeships

• clinical experience

• workforce training and industry credentials

• transition to employment

WBL Internships - Connection to Graduate Profiles and Capstones

A graduate profile outlines the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that the local community identifies as important for graduates to have when they exit high school. A graduate profile often includes competencies beyond traditional academics, including employability and social-emotional skills that honor students’ cultural and linguistic identities. If a community names industry exposure, mentorship, and local connections as foundational components within the graduate profile, WBL programming can provide the steps to realize that outcome.  If you do not yet have a graduate profile, it is a powerful opportunity for building and strengthening relationships with community members and employers who may evolve into future placement sites. You can access resources to build your graduate profile here.

A capstone* is a months-long project rooted in authentic contexts and building on local assets and culture. Students engage in active, self-directed, and community-based learning experiences to produce a body of work that teachers periodically assess for evidence of competence. Capstones result in public exhibitions of learning to school, family, and community.  Interns can integrate their community work-based learning experiences into the development of topics and structures for their capstone projects. You can access resources to develop your capstone here.

Connecting WBL programming to key curricular elements such as core content, CTE coursework, and capstones  can greatly enhance students’ school experience, providing opportunities for personalization, context building, career exposure, and mentorship. 

*Note:  A Capstone project is different from a capstone (culminating) course in the CTE pathway.

Planning Paid Internships

Vision for WBL

Take the time with your leadership team and key stakeholders to establish a vision for your WBL programming that establishes a WBL Continuum that spans ages  14-24 years. Although your programming may occupy only a portion of that spectrum, keep transitions in mind so that investments made by students and employers extend beyond a high school diploma and lead to a training, certificate, or degree. 

WBL Core Leadership Team and Advisory Team

Because creating or refining a WBL program impacts many different stakeholders and involves considerable coordination, creating a well-rounded team of individuals who have decision-making capabilities will prioritize inclusive decision-making and optimize your efforts.

Program Evaluation and Data Collection

Just as visioning your WBL program is an essential first step, designing a plan for collecting quantitative and qualitative  data for evaluation and reflection is critical for determining how well your program is working and how it can be improved. 

Logistics and Systems

Careful coordination and strong systems ensure that WBL participants and key stakeholders can concentrate on what matters most—students learning from their mentor and their professional setting.  

WBL Curriculum and Experiences

Connecting WBL programming to key curricular elements such as core content, career pathways, CTE courses, and capstone initiatives can greatly enhance students’ school experience, providing opportunities for personalization, context building, career exposure, and mentorship. 

WBL Academic Structures and School Schedule

Existing academic requirements and school schedules are often a barrier to facilitating off-site WBL experiences, especially individual internship placement and require careful consideration by key folks with the requisite knowledge to navigate possible changes.

Student Selection and Support Services

WBL opportunities should be accessible to diverse students within your community and not limited to top-ranked students only.  For students struggling to find meaning in a more traditional academic school experience, access to WBL can contribute to their overall engagement and motivation. 

Community and Employer Partners

Building and sustaining partnerships with business and community partners with dedicated spaces for collaboration and communication to crosswalk the world of education can serve to support not only the day-to-day ups and downs of actual interns and mentors, but also provide a platform to vision the impact that investing in broader WBL continuum for the community. 

Post High School Transition

Having relationships and structures in place can facilitate a young person’s and employer’s ability to continue with WBL experiences after high school.  The support of regional WBL intermediaries, post-secondary partners, and industry associations can help to develop a runway that helps communities launch and retain their own young, local talent.

Tools and Resources:

The WBL Readiness Snapshot tool can help you think through the components listed above as you plan work-based learning at your school/district.

WBL Resources for Schools and Districts offers examples and artifacts from schools and districts already implementing paid internships.

Additional Resources:

X3 Impact Report :  A comprehensive overview of the impact of the Future Focused Education X3 internship programs

Why Internships are Important for Students of Color By Tatiana Falcón Rodríguez | Community Health Program Manager, Food Farmacy Manager | May 6, 2019

Watch a day-in-the-life tour with Amarisa Barboa, an X3 intern at the City of Albuquerque Office of Equity Inclusion.  

The LANL Foundation's Employer’s Guide to Successful Internships and toolkit 

New Mexico Public Education Department Summer Enrichment Internship Program Resources

If you work in a New Mexico school, district or nonprofit organization and are interested in learning with us about Work-Based Learning, let us know in this form.