33 Work-Based Learning Center at CWI
Moving from college to a career isn’t always a direct path. The Work-Based Learning Center (WBLC) at CWI is here to help bridge the gap between what you learn in the classroom and your success in the workplace. Using a “learn, do, earn” approach, the WBLC brings students, faculty, and employers together to help you build a strong foundation for your future career.
Three Pathways to Real-World Experience
The WBLC offers three main pathways to help you get hands-on experience, each meeting you wherever you are in your career journey.
Job Shadowing
Job shadowing is the perfect first step to explore a potential career field. By spending time with professionals in your chosen area, you’ll get a firsthand look at what they do day-to-day, the challenges they face, and their successes. This experience can help you either confirm that you’re on the right track or decide to explore a different path—both are equally valuable discoveries!
Internships
Internships are all about diving deeper. As an intern, you’ll take on real responsibilities, contribute to projects, and put what you’ve learned in class into practice. Many students find that internships not only help them build skills employers value but also boost their resumes with meaningful experiences. Sometimes, internships lead directly to job offers—but even if they don’t, they’re a great way to gain references and make connections for the future.
Apprenticeships
The apprenticeship pathway lets you “earn while you learn.” This structured program combines on-the-job training with classroom learning, giving you the chance to build skills that are in demand while getting paid. Apprenticeships are an ideal way to master both the practical and theoretical sides of a career, often leading straight into employment when the program is complete.
What We Do
Once you’ve decided where you’d like to start, let the WBLC assist you. We assist students as they start their journey toward achieving their educational and career goals. The WBLC can:
Connect students with employers: Employers in our community need employees. We connect students with those employers via Work-Based Learning Center opportunities.
Support students in developing meaningful, hands-on experiences: With the Work-Based Learning Center, education is more than learning in the classroom. Our programs provide you with opportunities to develop meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.
Assist students with applying for financial assistance (FAFSA): The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is the online form prospective or current college students complete to determine their eligibility for student financial aid. The Work-Based Learning Center helps students fill out and understand how the form benefits them financially, what is needed for the application, and how to understand the results of their application.
Ensure students get the credits they’ve earned: Knowing what’s needed to receive credit for completed work can be confusing. The Work-Based Learning Center assists with the required paperwork to ensure students get the credit they’ve earned.
Handshake
The WBLC has partnered with Handshake—a career platform that helps you connect with job opportunities. Think of it as your personal career dashboard, where you can find work study positions at CWI, jobs, internships, and connect with employers. Here’s how to get started.
Creating Your Profile: Start by creating a compelling Handshake profile. Use your CWI email to sign in and begin. This is your digital first impression for employers, so take time to highlight your skills, experiences, and what you’re looking for in a career. Include your resume. You can set your profile to “private” if it’s not complete.
Customizing Your Preferences: Handshake matches you with opportunities based on your interests. Want a part-time job while you’re in school? Looking for a summer internship? Set your preferences so the platform can help you find the right roles. The more specific you are, the better your matches will be.
Exploring Opportunities: Handshake isn’t just a job board. Once you’re set up, it will send you notifications about jobs, internships, career fairs, and networking events that fit your interests. You can also follow companies to stay updated on their latest opportunities.
Other WBLC Services
My Plan: Finding or Improving Your Career Path
MyPlan is a comprehensive set of tools and resources to help you make decisions and prepare for your future.
On-the-Job Training and Work Experience
An experience (e.g., apprenticeship) where a student receives one-on-one training from a supervisor/mentor at their chosen job site. The employer determines the skills/competencies needed and how they are measured. The individual is paid wages and receives the same benefits as any other employee doing similar work.
Potential to Earn Academic Credit
A short-term position (e.g., internship) providing experience and exposure. May be paid or unpaid and for credit or non-credit. The Work-Based Learning Center assists with paperwork to ensure students get credit. Additionally, students may or may not receive pay.
Potential to Earn Money
A paid or unpaid experience (e.g., internship) for a student or trainee. Working in an organization provides professional experience or may satisfy requirements for a qualification. Additionally, students may or may not receive secondary or postsecondary credit.
Build Employment Contacts
Students learn by directly engaging with potential future employers with the guidance of the Work-Based Learning Center staff. These contacts may provide references or job opportunities in the future.
Resume Assistance
The Work-Based Learning Center staff assists students as they develop a resume that illustrates their strengths, create a cover letter that highlights any transferrable skills, gather strong references, and prepare and practice for interviews.
Contact
Contact Us for More Information
Email: wblc@cwi.edu (opens in a new tab)
Phone: (208) 562-2562
Location: 5500 E. Opportunity Dr., Suite 107, Nampa, ID 83687
