FAQs

College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE) Questions

Q: What is a pathway?

A: A pathway is a set of classes and experiences that connect what students are learning in school to future careers and college opportunities. Pathways help students explore their interests, build real-world skills, and prepare for life after high school.

Q: What is a diploma endorsement/College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE)?

A: Enacted in 2016, the Illinois Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act established a system for school districts to award College and Career Pathway Endorsements (CCPEs) to high school graduates. Endorsements signify that a student is ready to pursue postsecondary education or enter a career related to the CCPE area.

Q: What is the difference between a pathway and a diploma endorsement?

A: A pathway is an organized sequence of high school courses, experiences, and learning opportunities in a specific career area (for example, Health Sciences, Business, IT, Education, or Manufacturing). Pathways help students explore careers, gain skills, and prepare for postsecondary education or employment. Think of pathways as a journey or learning track that a student follows. Students can participate in a pathway without earning a diploma endorsement.

A diploma endorsement is an official recognition on a student’s high school diploma and transcript that shows they have successfully completed a career pathway and met specific statewide criteria. Diploma Endorsements signify that the student is college and career ready within their pathway of interest. Diploma Endorsements are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and are earned, not just participated in. 

Q: Where can I learn more about the Naperville District 203 Career Pathway opportunities?

A: Your counselor can provide more information about Naperville District 203 Career Pathways, or you can find more information by navigating SchooLinks.  

Q: What are the requirements to earn a State of Illinois Diploma Endorsement?

A: See this document, or information by pathway in the left margin of SchooLinks. Your school counselor is also a great resource to learn more information and to ask questions. 

Q: How do students benefit from choosing a Career Pathway and working toward a College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE) while in high school?

A: College and Career Pathway Endorsements (CCPE) encourage career exploration and development. Attaining a CCPE serves as a quality indicator of a student’s readiness to enter an industry or pursue further education. CCPEs save time and money by giving students early exposure to careers and early college-level work, reducing the chance of changing college majors later. CCPEs provide direction and clarity for students to graduate with a clearer plan for what’s next after high school. CCPEs open doors to scholarships, college programs, and employers who value students with career preparation. CCPEs build confidence by showing families that their student is gaining real-world skills and experiences.

Q: What is the value of earning a Diploma Endorsement/CCPE?

A: Students who earn an Illinois State Board of Education College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE) have the following: CCPE recognition on both their transcript and diploma, signaling to colleges and employers that the student has gone above the minimum expectations to graduate high school, potential scholarship and financial benefits for attending post-secondary institutions, earned early college credit while in high school - potentially reducing the cost of attending college, and post-secondary clarity.  Earning a CCPE is a notable accomplishment when applying to colleges, scholarships, collegiate internships, and job opportunities.

Career Internship Questions

Q: I see that in order to earn a Diploma Endorsement, I need to have a minimum of 60 hours of Work-Based Learning/Internship experience. What does this mean?

A: Students can either enroll in the Naperville District 203 Career Internship Program to have a minimum 60-hour Work-Based Learning/Internship experience, or, students can find their own Work-Based Learning experience that must be a paid experience. Please contact Mr. Thompson or Mr. Hostrawser before beginning your own paid internship experience for guidance on documenting your experience toward earning your diploma endorsement.

Q: How do I qualify to enroll in the Naperville District 203 Career Internship Program?

A: To enroll in the Naperville District 203 Career Internship Program, students must:

1. Have a Career Pathway selected in SchooLinks.

2. Have taken and completed the required pathway courses in their chosen pathway.

3. Be at least 16 years of age. 

4. Have a goal of earning a College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. 

5. Complete an application and have an approved application prior to enrolling in the Career Internship Program - please see counselor for application link during course registration.

Q: If I participate in the Career Internship Program, what will I learn or gain beyond what I have already learned in my pathway courses?

A: The Career Internship course affords students opportunities and experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Students who participate in the Career Internship course will have access to the following: professional-world experiences, professional skill development, industry insight, post-secondary clarity, professional networking opportunities, first hand look at potential career, confidence and independence, workplace/professional (soft) skill development, mentorship opportunities, working on authentic and meaningful tasks and projects in our community, and post-secondary readiness. 

Q: I see that I need to submit an application to be considered for enrollment in the Career Internship Program. Why is there an application process?

A: To ensure students are prepared for a meaningful internship experience, certain prerequisites must be met. An application process ensures the Career Internship Program is a good fit for the student.

Q: How much time do I need to have available in my daily schedule to participate in the Career Internship Program?

A: Students are expected to intern 5-10 hours per week. Prior to enrolling in the Career Internship course, students must judiciously examine their school schedule and their personal (after-school) commitments. Students will need to set aside two consecutive hours (or more) per day to be in a position to accept an internship offer from an employer. To have the necessary time to commit to an internship experience, students often need to enroll in the Career Internship course, as well as early dismissal or online PE. After-school commitments, such as extra-curricular activities and/or another job, can impact your availability to have an internship experience. Many students want to “do it all”, including taking rigorous academic courses, participating in extra-curricular activities, participating in a part-time job, etc. Students must decide and prioritize their time for their experiences and activities that are most important to them. 

Q: What if I have other after-school commitments like sports or another job? Can I still participate in the Carer Internship Program?

A: See above question. It is possible to balance both an internship and other after-school commitments. However, a student must have a minimum of a two-hour window, whether during the school day or after school, to have the time in their schedule to balance an internship experience. 

Q: How old do I need to be to participate in the Career Internship Program?  

A: Students must be at least 16 years of age to participate in the Career Internship Program.

Q: Do I need to have a driver’s license and/or reliable transportation to participate in the Career Internship Program?

A: Students who have an in-person internship must have reliable transportation to their internship site and must have permission to leave campus through the blended course approval process.

Q: Will I get paid during my internship?

A: Many, but not all, internship opportunities are paid. 

Q: What businesses could I intern with if I am in the Career Internship Program?

A: Our Naperville District 203 Career Internship Program partners with many local small businesses and organizations. Many of the larger Fortune 500 companies partner with colleges and universities for collegiate internship opportunities. 

Q: Am I guaranteed an internship experience if I enroll in the Career Internship Program?

A: Enrollment in the Career Internship course does not guarantee the student will have an internship experience. Students are not “placed” in internships. Students in the Career Internship course will connect with internship employers and interview for internship opportunities. Internship employers offer internships to students who they believe will be a good fit for their opportunity and organization. Students must take ownership of the process in finding their internship offer(s) and opportunities. The Internship teacher will help and guide students toward internship opportunities, but enrollment in the course does not guarantee an internship experience. Students are also welcome to find their own internship opportunities with families, family connections, online searches, etc.

Q: If I am not a Career Pathway student, can I still participate in the Career Internship Program?

A: The Career Internship Program is a course designed to help students have the required 60 hour Work-Based Learning experience toward earning a College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE). Students must meet pathway requirements to enroll in the Career Internship Program.

Q: What is the attendance policy with Internship employers? 

A: Internship employers have expectations that are consistent with professional working environments. Many internship employers have attendance expectations that likely differ from school attendance policies. Attendance policies with an internship employer during an internship experience are enforced. Students have lost their internship opportunity in the past due to not following their employer’s attendance policy.

Q: What are my options if I arrange my own internship opportunity? Do I have to enroll in the Career Internship Program?

A: When a student finds their own paid internship opportunity, they do not need to enroll in the Career Internship course. However, the student will need to document their paid internship experience using SchooLinks. Please contact your school’s Internship Coordinator prior to beginning your internship for more information. Documented internship experiences cannot be with an immediate family member. 

Q: Do colleges like to see volunteer and Work-Based Learning/Internship experiences on their applications?

A: Generally, yes, colleges and universities value volunteer and Work-Based Learning experiences on college applications for the following reasons: shows initiative and engagement, demonstrates character and service, signals career readiness and connections to the professional world, demonstrates application of important workplace and employability skills, and demonstrates experiences outside of school that can differentiate students. 

Q: How will I be evaluated in the Career Internship course?

A: The Career Internship course is a self-discovery course that is writing-intensive and metacognitive in nature. Each student will have a unique and personalized experience. There are no right or wrong answers on many of the assignments in the course. Many assignments require the student to reflect upon their personal experiences and think inward on their journey of self-discovery. The final summative assignment requires the student and the employer/mentor to provide their reflections.  

Q: How will I track my progress and work during my internship?

A: Students will use SchooLinks to track their weekly progress and to document their internship hours. Both your internship employer and your Internship teacher can see your weekly log and sign-off on it.

Q. How is the Career Internship course dual credit and weighted?

A. The Career Internship course is dual credited with College of DuPage COLLG 1115 - College Success Skills. The COD course is a 2-credit-hour course. After successfully completing the course, students will earn two college credits on their COD transcript. Naperville District 203 courses that have dual credit status are automatically calculated as weighted.