I learned that WBL programs rise or fall on the quality of supervision and coordination -- not just the availability of employer partners. A dedicated coordinator isn't an administrative luxury; it's the connective tissue between students, employers, and classroom learning. Without someone owning that role, the pieces don't come together.
What struck me most is how often we underestimate the invisible work of managing partnerships. Recruiting employers, drafting training agreements, handling liability concerns, matching students to placements -- it's not glamorous, but it's what makes WBL work well.
I'm realizing I need to advocate more intentionally for dedicated coordination time, not just piecemeal effort from whoever has bandwidth. The Georgia standards were a reminder that institutionalizing these roles -- with resources and manageable workloads -- is what separates sustainable programs from those that burn out their people.
I'll use what I've learned to make the case for stronger coordination structures and to better support our existing staff.
