Workplace Learning Connection

04/24/2026

Volunteer Appreciation Week - Linn County

"I really enjoyed my job shadow experience. I was able to step into the real world with a career that I may want to do. I was able to see what it is like to be a teacher for a day and help kids with reading and math. It was a great opportunity to make connections and build relationships." - Sandra Tokpa, student - Prairie High School

Thank you to all our LINN COUNTY business partners who have helped support our students through the years! You are making a difference in the lives of our young people! We couldn’t do what we do without you.

Still not engaged? Get connected www.kirkwood.edu/wlc

Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance Marion Economic Development Corporation - MEDCO Hiawatha Economic Development Corporation - HEDCO Visit Mount Vernon-Lisbon

04/23/2026

Volunteer Appreciation Week - Jones County!

“This job shadow helped me see that welding can be very versatile and used almost anywhere. The host was very fun and gave very useful information about the career I'm interested in." - Blaine Benter, Monticello High School - WLC welding job shadow with Metal Design Systems

Thank you to all of our JONES COUNTY partners and volunteers who have helped support career exploration for our students!

Kirkwood Jones County Regional Center Monticello, Iowa Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Anamosa Community School District Midland CSD Monticello Community School District Metal Design Systems Inc.

04/22/2026

Volunteer Appreciation Week – Johnson County!

"My job shadow at the Carver College of Medicine strengthened my desire to pursue medicine. I had already been interested before, but I wanted to confirm that becoming a doctor was something I wanted to do. Learning about Iowa's physician shortage inspired me, as I sat in the very place where amazing doctors are being built. I learned simple exam techniques, like testing reflexes and listening to the pulmonary and aortic valve through a stethoscope. I also learned how to properly communicate with patients. I really enjoyed the hands-on aspect of learning how to perform basic physical exams. It was an immersive experience, and I felt as though I could see what my future held." - Evalynn Karam, Liberty High School - Junior Medical School Day with University of Iowa Health Care

Thank you to all our JOHNSON COUNTY business partners who have helped support our students through the years! You are making a difference in the lives of our young people! We could not do what we do without you.

Still not engaged? Get connected www.kirkwood.edu/wlc

Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa @ Clear Creek Amana High School Lone Tree Community School Greater Iowa City, Inc. Iowa City Community School District

04/21/2026

Volunteer Appreciation Week – Iowa County!

"Before my internship experience, I knew I loved animals, but I didn’t fully understand what careers in the animal field looked like day to day. Being in that environment helped me see the responsibility, emotional investment, and work ethic it takes to care for animals professionally. It helped me realize that I didn’t just love animals — I wanted to build a career working with them. My internship experience directly influenced my education and career path and gave me the clarity to move forward quickly and intentionally.” - Chasity Alexander, Iowa Valley Jr/Sr High School 2023, former WLC student

Thank you to all our IOWA COUNTY business partners who have helped support our students through the years! You are making a difference in the lives of our young people! We couldn’t do what we do without you.

Still not engaged? Get connected www.kirkwood.edu/wlc

Warriors Iowa Valley Community School District Williamsburg Community School District English Valleys Middle/High School

04/20/2026

We are so appreciative of our community volunteers!

Sara and Casey had an enriching morning participating in Kirkwood Community College’s Financial Literacy Fair on Monday. The local 8th grade students who attended gained a deeper understanding of budgeting principles and the actual costs of different expenses.

We appreciate the chance to volunteer at these events and build bridges within our community for the next generation of employees!

04/20/2026

Volunteer Appreciation Week – Cedar County!

"I highly valued my job dental Hygienist jobs shadow with West Branch Family Dentistry, because it taught me a lot about the dental field and showed me exactly what they do in a day. Because I enjoyed it so much, I hope to next do an internship in this field to learn more about it." Lander Malloy, student - West Branch High School

Thank you to all our CEDAR COUNTY business partners who have helped support our students through the years! You are making a difference in the lives of our young people! We couldn’t do what we do without you.

Still not engaged? Get connected www.kirkwood.edu/wlc

North Cedar Community School District West Branch Family Dentistry branch community schools

04/19/2026

IT'S HERE! Volunteer Appreciation Week!

Over the next seven days we will be recognizing our partners in each county and their commitment to supporting work-based learning.

First up... Benton County.

"My favorite part about my job shadow experience was getting to meet knew people, trying new things, getting to do hands on activities, and getting to explore my career field of interest." - Evie Ireland, student - Benton Community High School

Thank you to all our BENTON COUNTY business partners who have helped support our students through the years! You are making a difference in the lives of our young people! We couldn’t do what we do without you.

Still not engaged? Get connected www.kirkwood.edu/wlc

Benton Community Schools Benton Development Group Belle Plaine Community Development Corporation Vinton Shellsburg Community Schools Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High

04/16/2026

Throwback to the fall 🍂

Conservation Career Exploration Day: Jones County, Central Park Anamosa/Center Junction

Iowa City West High School Mid-Prairie CSD

04/14/2026

"The Cedar Rapids Police Department is proud to partner with Kirkwood’s Workplace Learning Connection (WLC) to provide students with an immersive, day-long job shadow experience in the field of law enforcement. Through this program, we showcase the wide range of career opportunities available within the CRPD and give students a firsthand look at what it means to serve our community.

Our collaboration with WLC enables us to connect with students from local schools in a small-group setting, fostering meaningful conversations and answering their questions about the profession. These sessions provide an invaluable opportunity to explain the many roles within the department and the impact officers have on public safety." Sergeant Jennifer Roberts, Cedar Rapids Police Department

Cedar Rapids Police Department

04/14/2026

Woot woot! Another successful Washington County FLF in the books!

8th grade students from Highland, Lone Tree, Mid-Prairie, and Washington explored real-world budgeting and financial decision-making. Students selected a career of interest, researched starting salaries, and visited booths to make choices about housing, food, clothing, insurance, transportation, and more.

Thank you to the incredible volunteers who helped make this meaningful experience possible!

Lone Tree Community School -Prairie CSD Washington Middle School Washington Community School District Highland Community School District Kirkwood Washington County Regional Center

04/14/2026

"Students did great. For many of these students it is the first time they've had a chance to engage someone concerning a job or employment of some type. It's a great experience for them to see different styles of interviews, and to engage adults in a more professional interaction. I wish something like this had been around when I was 15!" - John Weih, Solon mock interview volunteer

Solon High School

04/07/2026

"Last summer, I participated in a Particle Physics Internship through WLC. I entered nervous and worried that it would be too difficult or I would do something wrong, but after I completed my 40 hours, I felt way more confident in my ability to problem solve, and actually apply what I learned in school to a future career in STEM. In fact, I became way more comfortable with not knowing all the answers and experiencing new things. I hope to do another WLC internship this summer to build on that experience." - Dede Noupougbe, West High School

Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Iowa Iowa City West High School