August 2023 Newsletter
Job Shadow Application Portal is Now Open!
The school year 2023 – ’24 Portal 1 job shadow application window is now open. Job shadowing gives students the opportunity to explore careers of
interest, network, and connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities. Both in-person and virtual opportunities are available.
Check out our broad array of shadow opportunities. There are over 100 different career exploration days and over 101 careers to choose from.
Job shadow opportunities are open to students in grades 10 – 12. Portal 1 closes Sept. 22 at 3 p.m. Check with your school counselor for additional details.
Teaching for the Workforce Connects Educators to Local Businesses
This summer, Workplace Learning Connection partnered with Grant Wood AEA, the Regional Planning Partnership, and local school districts to provide a three-day immersive business experience for 27 sixth through 12th grade non-CTE teachers and counselors representing 13 school districts. The event, called Teaching for the Workforce, included a combination of business tours, presentations, discussions, and panels at business sites throughout the region to help participants experience today’s workplaces while building an understanding of the essential components for workplace success.
Throughout the program, participants heard from employers about how diverse the jobs, skill sets, and needs are within our community; they also learned about rewarding jobs for recent high school graduates, apprentices, and college graduates.
When asked how they plan to connect their experience to the classroom, one participant said, “The opportunity to meet with business leaders allows me to connect with students when they are looking for additional career pathways. This is valuable, as I know sometimes students just need to make a connection and they don’t have the resources to do so.” Another participant said, “I made so many connections. Providing the menu of options available to students is so important because they just don't know how much is out there.”
For additional resources, visit our Educator Resource page or check out Grant Wood AEA’s Future Ready Resources. Applications for the summer 2024 cohort will be available spring 2024.
Mercy Iowa City has been a pivotal WLC partner over the years, hosting job shadows, internships, and participating in career speaker events. They also hosted several interns for us this summer! Through their partnership with WLC they have helped hundreds of students explore a huge range of healthcare careers. Thank you, Mercy Iowa City!
“Mercy Iowa City enjoys our partnership with Kirkwood’s Workplace Learning Connection by offering internships and job shadows in nursing and other healthcare-related clinical areas to give students the ability to explore a variety of career paths in both our hospital and clinic system,” said Kim Volk, chief nursing officer and vice president of patient experience at Mercy Iowa City.
Interested in hosting a student and helping to develop your future workforce? Visit our Partners and Volunteers page to learn more.
