An informational interview provides students with the opportunity to have a one-on-one, in-person, or virtual discussion with a professional in their field of interest.

A mock interview is a training exercise that simulates a job interview. It is a practice interview that, as nearly as possible, resembles a genuine interview, giving youth the opportunity to receive feedback, and improve their skills.

A guest speaker opportunity is when a designated industry professional presents in a classroom about a career and/or the company they work for. This experience allows students to hear from an industry expert first-hand about their occupation as well as the pathway to it.

An industry tour occurs when a group of students tour a worksite, learning about the industry and occupations of the facility first-hand. Students will also learn about the education and training involved for specific positions as well as the worksite environment and essential skills to be successful there.

A teacher in the workplace opportunity connects educators to local businesses, bridging the gap between classroom and industry. Teachers spend time at the facility, discussing topics such as: occupations, pathways, and skills gaps that employers are aware of. Educators then take what they learned back to the classroom to help eliminate those skills gaps and enhance career education.

Offering a volunteer opportunity provides a young adult the chance to serve their community while acquiring valuable experience and transferable skills that can help prepare them for the demands of the working world.

Job shadowing is a type of on-the-job training that allows an interested young adult to follow and closely observe an employee performing the role. Job shadows are generally for short periods of time. Students are better able to determine whether the career they are interested in suits their abilities, interests, and skill sets.

A student work experience provides young adults the opportunity to learn about employability skills and have the ability to implement them on-the-job. A work experience can be paid or unpaid as well as full-time or part-time and can occur during the summer or school year.

Career mentoring is a career exploration component of work-based learning. It occurs when a student is matched one-on-one with an adult professional in a chosen field of interest to explore a career, career interests, and career development components. The career mentor serves as a resource for the student by sharing insights and providing encouragement and guidance on topics that include, but are not limited to; the work place, work ethics, careers, and educational requirements.

Internships are work-based learning opportunities that assist the student in developing technical competencies. It is a structured, practical experience, supervised and evaluated by an employer and a teacher, that students can earn school credit for.

Pre-apprenticeship programs are designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a registered apprenticeship program, and ultimately a career. They can be delivered by a range of entities including community-based organizations, high schools, labor organizations, workforce agencies, or community colleges. Click here for more information on apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships.