Workplace Learning Connection

03/13/2026

Another great internship opportunity this semester for a Washington HS student with a new partner at Rexco!

We are excited to welcome Rexco's new Marketing Intern, Cal Orr!

Cal is joining us through Kirkwood Community College’s Workplace Learning Connection to gain real world experience and learn how Rexco serves contractors and customers across our markets.

We are glad to have him on the team for the next couple of months!

03/12/2026

Another great example of the power of career exploration.

Last week, Above & Beyond Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC hosted Bisimwa Ruguduka from West High for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) job shadow. Experiences like these give students the chance to see what a career really looks like while building connections with local employers.

The feedback from Bisimwa’s host says it all:

“The job shadowing experience was highly successful. Bisimwa arrived promptly, engaged actively in a hands-on manner, asked insightful questions, demonstrated strong initiative, and conducted himself with complete professionalism. He embodies exactly the qualities we seek in an apprentice, which is why we are pleased to extend him an offer of apprenticeship with our company should he wish to join us. This student possesses the ideal attributes to thrive in the skilled trades.”
— Liz Kelly, Owner

Moments like this are why work-based learning matters. When students are given the opportunity to explore careers in real workplaces, it can open doors they may never have imagined.

A big thank you to Above & Beyond Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC for investing in the next generation of the skilled trades.

City West High School

03/11/2026

Throwback to the accountant job shadow hosted by LattaHarris last fall!

What a great experience for these students.

LattaHarris, LLP CPAs & Consultants

03/10/2026

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What a great opportunity for these students!

🌟 This week, we had the pleasure of hosting high school students for a Job Shadow Day! They got a behind-the-scenes look at event planning, marketing, and all the hard work that goes into making the Freedom Festival unforgettable. 💙

It was inspiring to share our passion and watch the next generation explore careers in the events world. Thanks to everyone who made it such a rewarding experience and a huge thank you to Workplace Learning Connection for the opportunity to work with these student! 🎉

03/10/2026

Proud of our students. Way to go Bryce and Lorenzo!

Thank you Van Meter for hosting these students.

03/09/2026

Attention! The internship application portal for first-semester internship opportunities is NOW OPEN for current high school sophomores and juniors!

Get an in-depth look at a career of interest, gain employability skills, and earn dual credit.

To learn more and apply now go to: https://www.kirkwood.edu/workplace-learning-connection/internships/index

03/05/2026

Cedar County High School Career Fair 2026!

We had 29 businesses in attendance to share their company and careers with Cedar County students.

"The fair was very informative, there was such a wide variety of businesses that there was something for everyone. I really enjoyed talking to all the booths. Even if it is not a career you are interested in doing, it was still super informative to talk to the companies. Everyone was so nice. I am specifically interested in Radiology as a career path, so I was ecstatic that the University of Iowa Radiology Program was there." - Cassie W., Tipton High School

branch Community Schools North Cedar Community School District

Thank you to all businesses who shared their time!

03/04/2026

Don't forget! College Credit in High School registration for the 2026-'27 school year is currently open.

Take advantage of this opportunity today!

“I took college credit classes while in high school all for FREE through Kirkwood Community College. This opportunity has given me a competitive advantage because by the time I graduate high school, I will already have 22 college credits, along with a CNA license. My Kirkwood classes helped me prepare for future college classes. That, in conjunction with my WLC internship experience, helped me feel prepared to take on the next step in my educational and career journey.” – Ava Van Schepen, Liberty High School

Interested in learning more? Fill out the below interest form and your local regional center coordinator will reach out.

http://www.kirkwood.edu/cchsinfo

03/03/2026

WLC Partner Spotlight

Workplace Learning Connection began working with Blu Track back in 2023. Since then, they have participated in a variety of career exploration opportunities including 6th grade speaker days, Tools of the Trades, worksite tours, and career fairs. We greatly appreciate their support of Jones County students.

“Blu Track staff have been invited to join in a variety of The Workplace Learning Connections' career exploration programs. It has been incredibly rewarding to see students’ faces light up when they connect their schoolwork, experiences and strengths to a potential career path. We truly enjoy sharing our expertise and providing hands-on experiences to help local youth learn more about the diverse opportunities available to them right here in Jones County.” Amy Fuller-Belding, Communication Specialist: Education – Blu Track

Blu Track

03/02/2026

Rehabilitation Services Day: Mercy Hospital, Cedar Rapids

"My Rehabilitation Service Day job shadow at Mercy Hospital helped me learn a lot more about three different types of rehabilitation therapies - physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. We did hands-on activities that gave us insight into the job and patient experiences. I loved getting to see the hospital and my favorite part was learning how swallowing works." - Laylah Wehner, student - Williamsburg High School

Mercy Cedar Rapids Williamsburg Community School District

02/26/2026

Summer High School Internship Hosts Needed!

Demand for high-quality internships continues to grow, particularly during the summer months when we see the largest volume of internship requests.

Why Host a High School Intern?
Hosting a high school intern is a meaningful way for businesses to support both current operations and long-term workforce development. Benefits include:

- Building relationships with potential future employees and creating a pipeline of qualified talent.
- Gaining an extra set of hands, fresh perspectives, and motivated students eager to contribute.
- Increasing student awareness of career opportunities within your business or industry.
- Playing a direct role in developing Iowa’s future workforce.

WLC makes hosting an intern easy. If your business is interested in learning more, please complete our brief interest survey:

https://www.workplacelearningconnections.com/Survey/Default.aspx?Survey_ID=602&wpn=WLC

02/25/2026

"While high school classes helped me find my favorite engineering branch, no class is as valuable as walking into a business and witnessing actual engineers doing their job. Classes teach a sort of theoretical engineering, while the job shadows and internships show you the actual engineering in process.

The WLC opportunities have helped me narrow down my choice of industry and solidified my decision to pursue electrical engineering. In my early high school years, I was on the fence between mechanical and electrical engineering. The businesses and workers I shadowed helped me find that electrical engineering is my best fit.

WLC gives participants a competitive advantage. Not many areas have access to programs like WLC, and being able to get real-world experience at such a young age is invaluable. Not only does it set me apart from my peers, but allows me to work half a step ahead of them as well. I already have seen various job industries, so when I begin to look for job opportunities, I will already know a good deal about what I am looking for in my profession." - Alex Chavez, senior - Linn-Mar High School



Linn-Mar Community Schools MSI Mold Builders Design Engineers, MEPFT