Career-Connected Learning • Central Rivers AEA

What is Career-Connected Learning?

Career-connected learning is an umbrella term that incorporates both career exploration and work-based learning. While career exploration activities empower students in learning about work, work-based learning supports students working to learn the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in the workplace and what comes next.

Iowa Department of Education’s Career-Connected Learning Resources

Career Exploration

Career exploration includes activities designed to assist with exploring and building awareness of the available careers in in-demand, high-wage and public good college and career pathways.

Work-Based Learning

Work-based learning is sustained project-based learning in partnership with an employer, simulated work experiences aligned with industry-recognized credentials, high-quality pre-apprenticeships aligned to an apprenticeship, student learner programs, internships, and apprenticeships.

Work-Based Learning: Why Partner With Us?

“Partnering for this internship experience was incredibly rewarding. I truly enjoyed working with a student who was so eager to learn about a career I’ve spent nearly 30 years in. Grady jumped right in, asking great questions and immediately helping our team produce both internal promotional videos and client work that actually aired on broadcast TV. It provided our team with an invaluable extra resource while giving Grady hands-on experience with the exact tools he’ll use if he pursues video production. I highly encourage other businesses to support work-based learning and internships. It is a massive benefit for students to see the day-to-day reality of these jobs, allowing them to work through projects from start to finish and truly discover if it’s a career path they love.”

–Brian Foelske, Amperage Marketing

Student Grady learning about video equipment with Brian at Amperage.

Grady interviewing Serena from Steege Construction for his video project.

“Partnering for this experience was incredibly rewarding, especially being able to work with a student who shares a genuine interest in the trade I’ve been proud to work in for over 20 years. It was a fantastic opportunity for our field employees to step up and share their construction expertise, while also helping raise awareness for our business within the community. I would strongly encourage other companies to participate in internships and work-based learning. It gives students invaluable, hands-on, real-world experience in industries they are curious about – and for some, it might even introduce them to a rewarding career path they hadn’t considered before.”

-Serena Zwanziger, Steege Construction Inc