Internships Help Students & Employers Achieve Their Goals

Cooperative Work Experience Education

College of the Canyons

An Award-Winning Program

How Long Has Cooperative Work Experience Education Existed?

In 2006 the Cooperative Work Experience Education movement in the United States reached its 100th anniversary

Founded by Herman Schneider, Dean of Engineering, at the University of Cincinnati

Goals: Bridge the gap between college &

industry to prepare young engineers for practical work after graduation

Gain formally recognized practical training as part of their education

What Does The Research Show?

NACE 2004 Experiential Education Survey Nearly 58% of students who served internships were

offered full-time employment with their internship employers

Nearly half of the employers said they offer higher starting salaries to graduates with internship/co-op experience

53% of college hires listed internship experience on their resumes

Additional Research

The Benefits of Workplace Experiences 4/05

Interns & CWEE students: Find jobs faster & earn more money than their classmates

because they have experience

Chancellor: Recommends the integration of

work-based learning throughout the curriculum

College of the Canyons: Integrating internship throughout CTE curriculum CWEE internships are required or recommended in 25

programs

Why Integrate WBL/Internships Throughout The Curriculum?

CCTE Model Curriculum Standards (AB1412): “Education must prepare all students for careers”

Economic Development is a mission of Ca. CCs (AB1497): “Strengthen the relationship between school & work by reducing the gap between academics & vocation”

2001 BOG implemented “Ladders of Opportunity” Goal is to combine classroom instruction, career

development & workplace training

New Perkins IV (VTEA) performance standard: Placement or retention in employment

Statewide Assessment of CTEFebruary 07 by West Ed

College, Student & Employer Needs: Difficulty in staying informed about

workplace needs Difficulty in recruiting industry partners Lack of paid workplace opportunities Students lack of appropriate workplace

attitudes & habits Students need to learn in the context of

doing something real

Internship development & placement can help address those needs

Our Internship Website Brings Students & Employers Together

Employers can easily submit internships online @ www.canyons.edu/offices/cwee

660 employers posted internships since April 2002

768 students completed internships

Internships available in 59 majors/disciplines

106+ paid internships currently available

Students can search for internships & apply online

Company names are not usually viewable by students

Screened applications are sent to the employer

Employer schedules interviews & notifies CWEE of selection to ensure student enrolls & receives college credit

CWEE Websitewww.canyons.edu/offices/cwee

Employer information including FLSA guidelines Register & submit an internship

Student internship information Search function, online application, & “Perfect Interview”

Website Downloads: Student Handbook How to Write Workplace Objectives Tips for Internship Success Interview Dos & Don’ts

Institutional R & D conducts electronic Employer & SLO Surveys & publishes an annual report

Why Do Employers Want Interns?(2,881 Internships Posted Since 4/02)

Highly Motivated College Interns: Provide outstanding assistance to overloaded employees Contribute to business success by increasing productivity Introduce innovative, fresh ideas and talent

Effective recruitment & screening method

“An opportunity to help educate and train our future workforce”

Is Work Experience RelevantTo Student Goals?

Student Goals - AACC National Survey of 200,000: To be self-reliant

To have a steady and secure job

To make a lot of money

To meet new and interesting people

CWEE & Internships help students achieve their goals!

How Do Students Benefit Through The Integration Of Internships?

Internships provide students with:

Relevance (connection between school & jobs)

A seamless transition from school to career

On-the-job applied education

Training using current technologies

Linkages to career pathways

Opportunities to acquire job skills & create an employment history

Internships May Also Improve Educational Completion Rates

College of the Canyons Graduate Exit Survey – “Barriers to Completing Education in a Timely Fashion” Deciding Educational Goals (23%) Choosing a Career (16%)

“It is difficult for young people to make sound career-life choices without testing them in the real world of practical experience…” Daniel Yankelovich

“…sequencing education first & work later forces young people to make fateful choices before they are equipped to do so, or worse, to postpone them until it is too late” Daniel Yankelovich

Internships help students make educational & career choices

What Do Students Want?

According to The Silent Epidemic – Perspectives of High School Dropouts, March 2006:

“Make school more relevant & engaging”“Enhance connection between school & work” 81% said they want more

opportunities for real-world learning (internships, service learning, etc.)

Students need to see the connection

between school & getting a good job

How Did COC Create 2,881 Internships Since April 2002?

“Grow Your Business w/College Interns” brochure

Launched internship website with a press release

“Increase Productivity w/College Interns” brochure

“Help Wanted?” flyer

Targeted employers using: Industry Guide Valley Industrial Association Chamber of Commerce HR Managers Adjunct faculty

Marketing Internships/CWEE to Students(106+ Paid Internship Available Fall 08)

Emails to students, faculty & entire campus

Emails provide internship descriptions & links

Student email addresses sorted by major

Online application to COC Interested in internships? 7,287 from May 05 – July 08

Hard copy application to COC Hours I expect to work

Marketing To Students

“Where Will You Find a Job?” brochure

Flyers & Posters: “Research Shows” flyers “Learn More; Earn More” flyers & posters

Download at www.calworkplace.org

Banner in A & R/Counseling building

10 minute testimonial video

Presentations: Board of Trustees, Divisions, Departments, Counseling, MAC, Classes etc.

Internship bullets & URL on faculty syllabi & dept. websites

Sources Of Funding

District 2000/2001 Initially funded Director position &

one PT staff Partnership for Excellence 2000/2001

$35,000: part-time staff & marketing School-to-Career 2001/2002

$40,000: website development & marketing Tech Prep 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06

$7,550 per year: internship development/placement PT staff District 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06

$42,168 per year: part-time staff, supplies, printing, mileage etc.

(does not include Director’s compensation) District 2007-2008

$55,398

How Can You Help Students & Employers Achieve Their Goals?

Advocate for new Perkins IV & SB70 funding to develop internship programs

Integrate WBL throughout the curriculum

Promote internship development / placement

Publicize your internship success stories

Share your internship marketing materials

Replicate & improve model programs

Questions, Comments, Suggestions?

Thank You!

Contacts:Stan Wright, College of the Canyons 661-362-3889, stan.wright@canyons.edu www.canyons.edu/cwee

Antonio Diaz, Artificestudios661-607-3007www.artificestudios.com