Mar 9: Work-Based Learning CoP

Quick Recap

The meeting focused on updates and discussions regarding work-based learning initiatives across multiple universities. Mercy University shared their progress in implementing a free, online internship course for psychology and sociology students, offering 3-6 credits for volunteer work, with plans to expand to other health science programs. Calumet College of St. Joseph reported on their efforts to expand career readiness courses across disciplines, with a new career navigation course being developed for fall 2026. The discussion highlighted challenges around faculty awareness of labor market information and the importance of aligning academic experiences with employer expectations. Nancy provided guidance on accessing workforce development resources and shared a JFF publication on employer perspectives. The conversation ended with appreciation for the progress made in integrating work-based learning approaches across institutions.

Summary

Nancy shared news about an article in Lumen Eclipse regarding a presentation at the Achieving the Dream conference, where AI and humanities were key topics of discussion.

Psychology Internship Program Expansion

A pilot program for psychology and sociology students involves restructuring the Career and Life Planning course to incorporate more career-focused work-based learning. The program offers an internship course for free credits, with Career Services providing support for students to find placements. The initiative is part of a larger university-wide Work-Based Experience implementation, though the current focus is on psychology and sociology. The team is working to increase enrollment in the internship course, particularly for the summer semester, by enhancing the course content and making it more accessible to students.

Psychology Internship Course Overview

The meeting discussed a summer online internship course for psychology and sociology majors. Nadia explained that the course, which runs from May 29 to August 4, offers 3 or 6 credits with corresponding hour requirements of 135 or 270 hours respectively. While most internships are unpaid volunteer positions, students can use their own jobs if the experience is different. Nancy and Joi advised being realistic about student participation and potential federal requirements for paid internships, with Joi mentioning efforts to expand employer partnerships and adjust hour requirements in some programs.

Academic Internship Coordination and Standards

The group discussed academic internship experiences and coordination, with Nadia explaining that psychology students keep journals and write reflection papers under professor supervision, while internship sites are approved by a dedicated coordinator who verifies supervisor arrangements. Joi mentioned the development of a Work-Based Experience manual in collaboration with the Provost's office and career team, which includes criteria and checklists benchmarked against existing successful programs like psychology.

Internship Quality Control and Career Readiness

The group discussed internship experiences and quality control measures, with Joi explaining that checkpoints are in place to monitor student progress and ensure internships provide meaningful learning experiences rather than just job duties. Nancy shared information about a "Ethnographies of Work" course at Guttman Community College that helps students understand workplace rights and quality job characteristics, which she offered to share with the group. Matt reported on developments at Calumet, where he had met with the interim and new provost to discuss their expanded career readiness course, particularly for the psychology and human services program which includes a career exploration component.

New Career Exploration Course Development

The group discussed developing a new career exploration course that would be more broadly applicable across majors, building on the success of the existing "Careers in Psychology" course. Matt explained that he is working with Marlena and the provost to get the course approved for fall 2026, including determining credit hours, credential requirements, and course number. The discussion clarified that the course would be taught by faculty with a master's degree and five years of career development experience, and Nancy suggested using the term "career navigation" to emphasize a lifelong perspective on career development rather than just job placement.

Student Success and Internship Initiatives

The group discussed student success meetings and internship programs, with Matt explaining their revitalization of student success meetings involving career services, academic advisors, and faculty to track student progress holistically. Maria reported that a survey of Psych and Human Services faculty revealed most were unaware of labor market information resources, leading to plans for faculty training sessions during regular faculty meetings. The discussion included sharing of resources between institutions, with Nancy mentioning a JFF employer journey map publication and Matt noting connections with WorkOne for workforce development resources.

Next Steps

Nancy: Share information/resources about the "Ethnographies of Work" course with the group (re-share as requested).

Matt: At the next Data Champions meeting (tomorrow), ask what resources/modules other schools have developed for faculty regarding labor market information (LMI) and whether they are willing to share them.

Maria: Launch the faculty survey about use of labor market information to all faculty (not just Psych and Human Services), and consider integrating LMI training into the new career navigation course and/or faculty workshops.

Kelly: Explore ways to turn the existing ad hoc faculty resources and information about labor market information into a repeated, ongoing resource for faculty at Mercy.

Liz: Review the JFF employer journey map publication shared by Nancy and provide feedback on its relevance/applicability.

Links

• • Embedding Career Learning Across the Curriculum: the Ethnographies of Work Initiative at Bunker Hill Community College by Katie Bayerl, JFF

  • WorkOne Locations (part of Indiana's DOL Workforce initiative) 

  • A Resource Guide to Engaging Employers, JFF