Involves partnering with an industry professional to observe and partake in their daily or weekly responsibilities. This opportunity allows students to picture themselves in the career and evaluate whether it aligns with their interests, skills, and work values.

A temporary position prioritizing on-the-job training. This allows individuals to gain skills and experience aligned to their career interests. Interns are often expected to actively partake in workplace duties related to specific career-related tasks.

An experienced professional provides an individual with tailored guidance aligned to their desired position or career.

A course of study or experience involving practical field training, under supervision. This typically applies to a specific field or program of study.

An immersive program to allow individuals to perform industry tasks within a controlled environment. Commonly used for automotive and construction programs.

Integrates community service with classroom instruction and reflection for a specific project.

Based within a school, a group of students produce goods or services to be donated or put for sale.

This unpaid experience involves contributing time and talents to benefit a cause or individual.

A structured approach to combining classroom concepts with hands-on work experience, often in the form of a class project for a local business.

Individuals can gain on-the-job training and growth through a part-time or full-time job.

A group trip to observe first-hand what a specific workplace and career may consist of while actively engaging with industry professionals.

An informal interview or conversation between an industry professional and an individual seeking information related to entering or advancing in that career.

A program in which an individual learns an art, trade, or job under the supervision of a more experienced mentor.

An event in which industry professionals interact with individuals seeking to learn more about a given profession. Can include engaging activities, Q&A sessions, and skill-building workshops.

A guest speaker can be someone invited to speak on their expertise and experience in a career field.

Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) is a high school and college program for students interested in business. The organization prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.

A project that includes prototyping an invention to brainstorming ideas for a business, the projects are their own, and they have agency over the projects’ direction and decisions.

Can be used for an opportunity that does not fit solely within the descriptions of the other types of work-based learning.