Workplace Learning Connection

11/04/2025

Last week we had the opportunity to host a high school career fair in Washington County!

What. An. Event! 3 schools, 400+ students, and 23 businesses.

This engaging, hands-on career fair, connected students from Highland, Mid-Prairie and Washington high schools with local employers to showcase in-demand careers in healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, business, skilled trades, and more.

Thank you to all the businesses who participated!

Mid-Prairie CSD Highland Community School District Washington High School

11/04/2025

We were proud to coordinate Harding Middle School’s Career Day! It’s always inspiring to see students exploring different career paths and learning from professionals in our community. Thanks to everyone who helped make the day a success!

11/03/2025

Your next chance to apply for a WLC job shadow is here!

Apply for a winter/spring job shadow today. But hurry! The application window closes on Nov. 12th at 3pm.

https://www.kirkwood.edu/workplace-learning-connection/job-shadows/index

10/31/2025

Today, we had the privilege of spending time with four young men to share what a career as a Tower Technician looks like. We talked through compensation packages, travel, day-to-day responsibilities, and most importantly the strong culture we’re building here at Viking Maintenance. We even had the difficult conversation about taking care of you license and how valuable that is.
It’s always exciting to introduce students to a career path they may not have even known existed. The telecom industry has so much to offer, and helping the next generation explore what’s possible is truly rewarding.
A huge thank you to Workplace Learning Connection for connecting us with these future leaders, and to Victoria Wanda for coordinating these classroom visits each quarter. We appreciate the partnership and the opportunity to give back!

10/30/2025

We wouldn't have been able to achieve this success without the support of our business volunteers, our schools, and Kirkwood Community College. Thank you all!

Big news from Kirkwood Community College! 🎉

Our Workplace Learning Connection (WLC) department has been recognized as one of the Top 10 work-based learning organizations in the nation by the U.S. Department of Education!

This honor, part of the DOE’s Career Z Challenge, celebrates WLC’s commitment to helping middle and high school students across Eastern Iowa explore career paths through hands-on learning.

“Every day, we have the privilege of helping young people discover what’s possible for their futures,” said WLC Director Kristine Bullock. “Our goal is to ensure students leave high school with both inspiration and direction — and to strengthen the region’s workforce in the process.”

Serving 32 school districts, WLC connects thousands of students each year with local employers through job shadows, internships, career fairs, classroom visits, and more.

👏 With nearly 20% more students participating now and $186,000 in new DOE funding as part of this recognition to be used to expand access, WLC continues to build a stronger, more inspired workforce for Iowa’s future.

10/30/2025

Over the summer, Tipton High School student Ali Harper interned with RPM Revival in Tipton and gained a lot of insight and experience through hands-on work. Ali shares her experience below:

Tell us about your internship. What did you learn? What are some of the things you were able to do?
Given that my internship was in the mechanical field, the majority of what I did was hands-on work, which I enjoyed. I worked with amazing people who showed me different steps on how to wire different parts of a car or a truck. I worked under a semi putting screws back in, and at one point, I took apart a whole truck by myself.

What impact did your internship experience have on you?
My internship impacted me on a lot of levels. I met many amazing people. Randy, who was my boss, is a great, funny guy; anyone would love to have a boss like him. The experience also boosted my confidence because I know I want to work in a male-dominated field, and this first experience was so positive. I felt completely comfortable.

Did your experience influence your studies or future college and career plans?
I’ve always wanted to be a welder, and working at this internship, I found something I was good at. I learned they have a welder for welding cars, which is another path I could consider, merging both areas of interest. I even received a scholarship to come back and work for RPM after college!

What skills did your internship help you develop?
I learned how to stay motivated and use critical thinking skills when something didn't work. I also recognized the importance of teamwork in a mechanic shop.

Why should your classmates do an internship while in high school? What are they missing out on if they don’t?
I recommend doing a job shadowing or an internship. At first, I didn't think it was important, but I was completely wrong. Career exploration in high school helps you decide what you want to do, what you like, and helps you not waste money doing something you hate.

Tipton Community School District RPM Revival

10/27/2025

Another amazing, hands-on career exploration experience ☑️

Thank you Vinton Newspapers

VINTON — Thanks to a partnership with Kirkwood Community College’s Workplace Learning Connection Program (WLC), the Vinton Newspapers had some very special visitors in our office this week. Two students

10/27/2025

"This job shadow showed me what a marketing job could look like outside of marketing a product. I learned that there are many different kinds of marketing jobs like graphic design and events. Also, all of the marketing professionals stated the importance of writing and developing core skills. I liked that they gave us activities that are similar to what they do on the job. They also answered questions and gave us tips for the future. I think it was really valuable to hear from the professionals about marketing." Abby Andreasen, student - Marion High School

Marion High School Cedar Rapids Community School District High School Solon Community School District Iowa Valley Community School District Vinton Shellsburg Community Schools

10/27/2025

Thank you to all of our speakers for sharing your careers and industry!

10/23/2025

Aster Cox, a City High School student, has completed two WLC internships over the last two summers. She first interned with the Coralville Fire Department in the summer of 2024, and this most recent summer, she had an internship with Johnson County Ambulance Service.

“My WLC internship experiences really prepared me for my future career, and they gave me so many skills I can take with me wherever I go. I came to the program a shy kid with limited communication skills; I left with so many tools on how to network and communicate professionally.

While I knew I wanted to be a paramedic and a firefighter before participating in these internships, the people I've met along the way have given me some great advice about how to go about getting to this end goal and have helped shape my future plans.”

Juniors and seniors can apply for a second-semester internship now: https://www.kirkwood.edu/workplace-learning-connection/internships/index

Iowa City Community School District City of Coralville Fire Department .county.ambulance

10/21/2025

❤️

On Tuesday, October 14th, fifteen Midland Computer Science students had the opportunity to visit Skyworks in Cedar Rapids and Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative in Anamosa.

At Skyworks, students got a behind-the-scenes look at components made for smartphones and learned about various Electrical Engineering career paths available with both two- and four-year degrees. At Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative, they explored a wide range of careers — from office and safety roles to mechanic and lineman positions — while also learning about the latest safety equipment and technology used in the field.

A big thank you to Workplace Learning Connection for this valuable hands-on experience!

10/21/2025

We’re gearing up for our annual STEAM Institute events and we are looking for more presenters for our Linn County event!

STEAM Institute connects 7th-grade students with professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math fields. By sharing what you do, you’ll help students see how fun and rewarding a STEAM career can be.

Your role as a presenter:
-Highlight your career and present 30-minute interactive sessions (more “show” than “tell”) for groups of around 20 students.
-Repeat your activity up to six times per day, each with a new group of students.
-You may present on one or multiple days. We also welcome half-day presenters (3 sessions), though full-day participation is especially helpful and encouraged.

Linn County (Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center in Hiawatha) Dates:
Friday, December 12th - AM Only
Monday, December 15th
Tuesday, December 16th
Wednesday, December 17th
Thursday, December 18th - AM Only

Please consider sharing your STEAM field! Sign up by clicking below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0BOj87pUo9Iq1AMi_Y8urfV0JK-B8ah8KlDiLjR_ayral1w/viewform