33 Work-Based Learning Center at CWI
Moving from college to a career isn’t always a direct path. The Work-Based Learning Center (WBLC) at CWI is here to help bridge the gap between what you learn in the classroom and your success in the workplace. Using a “learn, do, earn” approach, the WBLC brings students, faculty, and employers together to help you build a strong foundation for your future career.
Three Pathways to Real-World Experience
The WBLC offers three main pathways to help you get hands-on experience, each meeting you wherever you are in your career journey.
Job Shadowing
Job shadowing is the perfect first step to explore a potential career field. By spending time with professionals in your chosen area, you’ll get a firsthand look at what they do day-to-day, the challenges they face, and their successes. This experience can help you either confirm that you’re on the right track or decide to explore a different path—both are equally valuable discoveries!
Internships
Internships are all about diving deeper. As an intern, you’ll take on real responsibilities, contribute to projects, and put what you’ve learned in class into practice. Many students find that internships not only help them build skills employers value but also boost their resumes with meaningful experiences. Sometimes, internships lead directly to job offers—but even if they don’t, they’re a great way to gain references and make connections for the future.
Apprenticeships
The apprenticeship pathway lets you “earn while you learn.” This structured program combines on-the-job training with classroom learning, giving you the chance to build skills that are in demand while getting paid. Apprenticeships are an ideal way to master both the practical and theoretical sides of a career, often leading straight into employment when the program is complete.
What We Do
Once you’ve decided where you’d like to start, let the WBLC assist you. We assist students as they start their journey toward achieving their educational and career goals. The WBLC can:
Connect students with employers: Employers in our community need employees. We connect students with those employers via Work-Based Learning Center opportunities.
Support students in developing meaningful, hands-on experiences: With the Work-Based Learning Center, education is more than learning in the classroom. Our programs provide you with opportunities to develop meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.
Assist students with applying for financial assistance (FAFSA): The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is the online form prospective or current college students complete to determine their eligibility for student financial aid. The Work-Based Learning Center helps students fill out and understand how the form benefits them financially, what is needed for the application, and how to understand the results of their application.
Ensure students get the credits they’ve earned: Knowing what’s needed to receive credit for com