Workplace Learning Connection

02/19/2026

Last week, Citizens State Bank in Monticello hosted Monticello sophomore Gavin Hinrichs for a WLC financial advisor job shadow.

Vice President Brian Gogel and his team went above and beyond and created a fictitious client (due to confidentiality) to go over with Gavin so he could learn about what a financial advisor does on a daily basis.

Citizens State Bank Monticello, Iowa Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

02/18/2026

Community volunteers are needed for WLC Financial Literacy Fairs this spring!

Workplace Learning Connection’s Financial Literacy Fair helps eighth-grade students learn about the basics of budgeting and financial well-being. WLC collaborates with area middle schools to host this hands-on learning experience with the support of hundreds of community volunteers.

Come engage with middle school students and help them learn this valuable life skill. Financial expertise is not required. Everything you need to volunteer will be provided.

This year’s fairs will be held on the following dates:
-Washington County: April 13
-Iowa County: April 14
-Jones County (NEW!): April 17
-Johnson County: March 25, March 27 and April 21-23
-Linn County: May 4-6, May 8, May 12-15

Sign up to volunteer here: https://www.kirkwood.edu/financialliteracyfair

02/17/2026

"I’ve always gone back and forth between teaching and veterinary medicine as a future career path. My recent WLC ag education job shadow at Central City showed me what it’s truly like to be a teacher and how it can impact the next generation. I was able to see the effect of actually teaching a class and engaging with the students. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and highly recommended a job shadow to other students.” Shyanne Crane, student - Lisbon High School

Lisbon Lions Central City Community School

02/12/2026

Full circle moment alert 🚨

High school intern ➡️ employee

Talyia Ochola (West High ’22) completed a WLC internship in the summer of 2021 with Johnson County Ambulance Service. Fast forward to today—she’s now an EMT with Johnson County Ambulance.

Her high school internship helped confirm her passion for EMS and built connections that ultimately led her to her current role. Proof that work-based learning doesn’t just open doors—it launches careers.

Johnson County Ambulance Service Iowa City Community School District

02/10/2026

STEAM Institute❤️

02/09/2026

🏅 Training for the Future Starts Now 🏅

The games remind us that champions aren’t made overnight—they’re built through practice, coaching, and real-world experience. Work-based learning gives students that same competitive edge, helping them explore careers, build skills, and gain confidence long before graduation.

02/04/2026

Students stepped into the warehouse at Ledford Engineering to learn about the wide range of responsibilities and skills required in CNC machining and toolmaking. They observed computer-controlled machines cutting and shaping metal parts, watched machinists set up tools, reviewed blueprints, and learned how designs progress from computer models to finished products. Students also gained insight into the value of a rewarding career in this field and the important role the industry plays in producing many of the parts used in everyday life.

Thank you Ledford for hosting this experience!

02/04/2026

👏Thank you Price Electric for being such an amazing partner, and for creating such valuable opportunities for these students.

02/02/2026

This week is National School Counselors Week, and we want to take a moment to recognize our incredible school counselors.

School counselors are on the front lines with students every day—seeing firsthand how work-based learning opportunities strengthen students’ Individual Career and Academic Plans and help them explore what’s possible after graduation.

Thank you, school counselors, for all that you do to support and guide our students! 💙

01/29/2026

01/27/2026

Over the last three years, the Belle Plaine Community School District has implemented a J-Term during the first week of January, following students’ return from winter break. J-Term is a one-week session between semesters that allows students to select classes and learning opportunities outside of their traditional coursework, all based on individual interests and preferences.

WLC internships have been part of the J-Term offerings since the beginning. However, due to the compressed timeline and more intensive attendance schedule, it can be challenging for students to complete required on-site work hours while also participating in the three Career Development Meetings that are part of the internship program. This challenge is further compounded by the fact that many internship sites are located in neighboring communities, adding travel time to students’ already full schedules.

To make the internship opportunity more accessible, WLC recognized the need for a J-Term solution that maintained the quality of the program while offering greater flexibility. The asynchronous format of WBL200 was developed to meet this need.

This new format brings much of the content traditionally delivered during in-person Career Development Meetings to an online platform, allowing students to complete coursework on their own time or while on site at their internship locations. Students engage with videos and online resources curated and created by the WLC team, covering topics such as professionalism, communication skills, goal setting, confidentiality, workplace safety, and personal strengths.

During the pilot session this month, eight students from Belle Plaine High School are participating in the asynchronous course. One of those students, senior Ava Parizek, a previous WLC Internship Program participant, shared her experience with the new format.

“When we began doing J-Term at my school, I knew I was going to try the WLC internship offering when I was able to,” Ava said. “My first year, I did not know what to expect, but I had a great experience at Virginia Gay Hospital. The support from everybody was beyond measure. Although I loved the experience, there were some difficulties.”

Based on Ava’s interest area, she was placed at Virginia Gay Hospital, located approximately 40 miles from Belle Plaine High School. The additional transportation time made it difficult for her to complete all required internship hours while still returning to school for in-person meetings.

“This year, when it was announced that there was a new format we were trying, I was so excited,” Ava shared. “Before I even started meeting with my host, the information on what needed to be done was very understandable and easy to navigate. I really appreciate the new course set up. Last year we had several meetings to turn in paperwork, whereas this year we are able to upload everything online, which is super beneficial. It allows us to spend more time working with our host. Overall, I have had a great experience with this course and would definitely recommend an internship like this to other students.”

Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High Virginia Gay Hospital and Clinics

01/23/2026

Thank you Grant Wood AEA for supporting these students through their career exploration journey! We appreciate you.