Types of Work-based Experiences

WorkingWhere.com currently offers student jobs shadows, internships, part-time and summer jobs and educator internships. Read below to learn more about these experiences.

Job shadowing allows a student to learn about a particular occupation or industry by spending time with an employee of a participating company or an expert in a trade, profession, or specific occupation to observe workplace tasks and behaviors. Job shadow experiences vary in duration from a half day to a full day, to several weeks. Observing an employee at work helps students select a career or job path.

See:
“Job Shadow Points” - Microsoft Word Document (34KB)

Student internships enable students to actually work at a participating company for a specified period of time to learn about a particular industry or occupation. These positions can be paid or unpaid. By getting involved in special projects and sampling a variety of tasks, the student learns about the industry, the occupation, and the workplace first hand.

See:
Internship capacity building binder, “How to Put Motivated People to Work for You” created by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, SMC Business Councils, SPIRC, and the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. For specific questions on this internship capacity building binder, please contact Carol Kilko at 717-720-1388 or the main number of the Pennsylvania Tourism, Film and Economic Development Marketing Office, 717-787-5453.

Intern Manual: developing and maintaining a world-class internship program for your organization. (including guidelines, steps, procedures, contacts) Contact Career Services at Lehigh Carbon Community College for your copy @ 610-799-1136 and/or Career Services at Northampton Community College @ 610-861-5344.

Lehigh Carbon Community College/Northampton Community College Intern Presentation - Microsoft Powerpoint Presentation (197KB)

 

Educator internships provide opportunities for teachers to explore an industry or company to develop knowledge of current and future workplace skill requirements. Schools can incorporate this updated knowledge into improved curricula and teaching methods for their career development programs. Employers gain professional input on company project work. These internships are structured between the educator, school, and employer.

Part-time and summer jobs offer relevant, hands-on work experience and establish contacts with future employers who can provide specific guidance on skills and educational requirements to secure a particular job in their business or profession. Financial assistance may also be available.