Finding the Right Experiences | Origin: CS130
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Creating Work-Based Learning Programs - First Steps --> Finding the Right Experiences
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
This section emphasized to me the importance of developing strong long-term relationships in the community. Business and Supervisor orientations can be one and the same depending on the business, and both are relevant and important. These need to be business-friendly, considering their time, effort, and manpower to make the internships/activities happen. We can't build strong relationships with frivolous meetings, so it's important to keep meetings concise, with student safety and academic standards as major elements.
Not orientation to the student or individual but larger orientation meetings to our WBL program might be valuable.
One of the important things that I learned was the importance of making sure that the placement is the correct fit. Schools should not partner with a business and then expect all students to work with that partner. It may not be the right fit for that student. Each place of business should be evaluated by the WBL coordinator and the student so that the experience is successful.
As a former WBL student myself, it is imperative to have meaningful engagement with the students, their families, upper management/owners of the company, as well as the students' direct supervisor. When everyone knows what's expected of them, there tend to be fewer issues.
Also, every business may not be a good match for WBL opportunities. Out of desperation students may be placed in a working environment that is not well-suited for them.
It will be vital to make sure the WBL site is able to work with students in a positive manner and feels able to mentor youth. Being very clear of expectations and providing support may go a long way in developing long term partners who feel confident in their roles.
Many good ideas for communicating with employers have come from this module. I look forward to working on orientation plans and a manual for my cooperating supervisors.
Importance of establishing clear vetting process and identify high-quality training sites.
This module was critically important for my learning because it's just as important to get businesses and supervisors an orientation as it is to give the students their guidelines and expectations.
This module helped strengthen my understanding of the importance of structured WBL components. Each one is an important piece in creating experiences that will help students build both technical & employability skills. Moving forward I will work to strengthen communication, provide clear orientation materials & expectations. In doing so this will help create more successful partnerships & better experiences for the students
These steps helped me realize ways that I can improve my process of finding training sites and the orientation processes for all involved.
I learned that networking and clear communication help secure good WBL sites and that employer orientation is important. I plan to apply this by using my connections and clearly explaining WBL to businesses.
It is important for the WBL supervisor to make contact a maintain a positive relationship with the community resources and businesses.
I had not previously thought about both employer and supervisor onboarding for a WBL student experience, but it makes perfect sense. Placements are made by the coordinator, but the business is counting on the leadership of the WBL organization to share the key information.
Both business-level and supervisor orientations are important; needs differ by community partner. Understanding each business's culture helps determine the most effective approach without overburdening employers.
Key: Be intentional with placement of student and community partner! Make it easy for your partners to say yes to your program. One way we do this is all documentation is done digitally.
I also feel it is important to have a business orientation as well as a supervisor's orientation. These are two very different audiences in some cases. When you are partnering with, say a small business, orientation may cover both at the same time. It's different, though, with a large business or company. You need the understanding and buy in from the overall management perspective as well as the supervisor. I appreciate Mary Xiong's concern with this potentially being burdensome on the employer. Understanding each business setting culture is important prior to acting.
It is important to partner with businesses that have an understanding of what it means to be a part of WBL experiences and how to work with students successfully. Having a mismatch of a mentor can be detrimental to a student's success.
It's imperative to partner with businesses that truly want to work with the work site learning coordinator.
Establishing a foundation of understanding will assist in program effectiveness and operation. Providing overview information to the company and program details to site supervisors can help with building trust and rapport. Developing a WBL supervisor's guide is a great suggestion.
I think both business and supervisor orientations in theory are best case, but I know that time can be a challenge, both as the coordinator and for the business. I like the above idea to create a packet or Google slideshow that can be updated regularly and shared, and the individual student experience can be the focus of the in-person contact.
Orientation needs to be valuable and follow the WBL guidelines. It needs to be worth the time and helpful.
