ST. LOUIS PATHFINDER NETWORK

Connecting Classrooms with Careers

Work-Based Learning Opportunities

GUIDELINES

Work-Based Learning Opportunities accessible through the St. Louis PathFinder Network’s web-based system include:

1. Students at Worksite

Apprenticeship

Community Service Learning

Cooperative Education

Internship

Job Rotation/Extended Job Shadow

Job Shadow

Mentoring

Summer Youth Employment

Workplace Tour

2. Educators at Worksite

Educator Exploration

Educator Externship

Educator Job Shadowing

Educator Tour

3. Employers at School

Career Fair Presenter

Classroom Career Speaker

Classroom Simulation

Curriculum and Standards Assistance

Mentoring

Mock Interview

School-Based Enterprise

The sponsor, student and school guidelines for participating in each of these “Work-Based Learning Opportunities” are listed in the following pages.

Apprenticeship

Definition: An apprenticeship, youth or registered, is a highly structured, multi-year program that connects work-site learning with classroom learning. It is designed to lead directly into either a related post-secondary program or an entry-level job.

Guidelines for the Sponsor:

• Set qualification standards applicants must meet.
• Select, hire and train students.
• Appoint a training supervisor for the student.
• Assess apprentice’s progress on a regular basis.
• Refrain from hiring the apprentice prior to completion of the training program; do not displace a regular employee.

Guidelines for the Apprentice:

• Understand and comply with all apprenticeship requirements.
• Comply with all health, safety, and environmental standards and regulations.
• Communicate openly concerning any problems, concerns, or conditions that are interfering with progress in the apprenticeship program.
• Complete formal or informal feedback as requested.

Guidelines for the School:

• Supply the sponsor with information regarding the apprentice.
• Appoint a coordinator to assist students at school and the training site.
• Monitor each apprentice’s progress at the apprenticeship site periodically.
• Assist students in planning and integrating school curriculum and training with emphasis, where possible, on applied academics and related occupational courses.
• Adjust class schedules when necessary to accommodate students.
• Provide individual career guidance to assist the student in deciding the next career progression step after high school.
• Assure that appropriate insurance coverage for the apprenticeship is in place.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.

Community Service Learning

Definition: Service-learning combines meaningful service to the community with classroom studies. Students work in collaboration with community members, teachers, and their classmates to address community issues.

Guidelines for the Business/Community:

• Collaborate with schools/communities to support a service-learning project.
• Provide feedback to the service learning organizer(s).

Guidelines for the Student:

• Participate in pre- and post-connecting classroom activities.
• Identify a community need, using the resources of outside agencies.
• Establish and participate in the actual service project.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the School:

• Collaborate with business/community to support a service-learning project.
• Designate resources in support of community service learning.
• Assist the students in identifying community needs.
• Establish the learning goals to be achieved with the students.
• Develop the pre- and post-connecting classroom activities.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.

Cooperative Education On-the-Job-Training

Definition: Cooperative education is a program in vocational education for students who, through written arrangements between the school and employers, receive academic instruction in school and related occupation instruction on the job.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Select, hire and train students.
• Together with the school, assure that appropriate insurance coverage is in place.
• Sign an educational and training plan with the student, parent(s) or guardian(s), and educator(s) outlining expectations, objectives and responsibilities.
• Provide trained personnel to supervise, train, and assess student learning.
• Evaluate and provide a report to the student and school on the student’s performance.

Guidelines for the Student:

• Comply with interview and employment requirements.
• Sign an educational and training plan along with parent(s) or guardian(s) and the employer.
• Maintain an acceptable academic record.
• Maintain an acceptable work-site performance.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the School:

• Supply the employer with information regarding the participant(s).
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.
• Work with the employer-training partner in developing a comprehensive training plan.
• Monitor each student’s progress at the training site periodically.
• Assist students in planning and integrating school curriculum and training with emphasis, where possible, on applied academics and related occupational courses.
• Adjust class schedules when necessary to accommodate students.
• Provide individual career guidance to assist the student in deciding the next career progression step after high school.
• Assure that appropriate insurance coverage is in place.

Internship

Definition: A student works for an employer for a specified period of time to learn about a particular industry or occupation. Students' workplace activities may include special summer projects, a sample of tasks from different jobs or tasks from a single occupation.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Appoint a work-site supervisor for student; ensure supervisor receives training.
• Be involved in establishing criteria for selecting the student.
• Identify objectives for interns.
• Provide orientation and ongoing training.
• Determine the work schedule for the intern, not to exceed 20 hours per week during the school year. Full-time is permissible in other periods.
• Complete progress reports and evaluations on the student.
• Notify the school if the intern is not fulfilling the commitments.
• Highlight employability and academic skills used on the jobs and help connect those skills to student learning at school.
• Adhere to all applicable child labor laws.
• Provide feedback to internship organizer(s).

Guidelines for the Student:

• Understand and comply with all internship requirements.
• Participate in connecting classroom activities.
• Comply with all health, safety, and environmental standards and regulations.
• Immediately report any accidents or injuries to your employer contact and/or school contact, and seek prompt medical treatment if necessary.
• Communicate openly with the employer and the school to ensure that the internship meets the objectives.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the School:

• Comply with all state regulations regarding credit for internships.
• Ensure the student meets the requirements to participate.
• Supply the employer with information regarding the participants.
• Inquire about dress, times, and other information needed prior to the experience.
• Discuss workers’ compensation insurance coverage with employer if applicable.
• Provide opportunities for a school contact person to meet with the employer and student at the business to plan the internship.
• Assist the intern in reviewing and validating their career plan and next steps.
• Develop the connecting classroom activities.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.
• Coordinate transportation, if necessary.

Job Rotation/Extended Job Shadow

Definition: Students rotate among a number of positions and tasks at a work-site that require different skills and responsibilities in order to understand the various aspects of the industry or business. The experience typically unfolds over a period of several days.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Prepare for the student visit.
• Establish the schedule with the school.
• Highlight employability and academic skills used on the jobs and help connect those skills to student learning at school.
• Adhere to all applicable child labor laws.
• Arrange for hands-on experiences, if applicable.
• Provide feedback to job rotation organizer(s).

Guidelines for the Student:

• Participate in pre- and post-shadowing classroom activities.
• Have applicable parent permission to participate.
• Arrive at work-site appropriately dressed and on time.
• Be observant and ask appropriate questions.
• Comply with all health, safety, and environmental standards and regulations.
• Participate in on-going connecting classroom activities.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the School:

• Supply the employer with information regarding the participants.
• Inquire about dress, times, and other information needed prior to the experience.
• Assure parental permission is signed and secured prior to the visit.
• Ensure that the experience occurs in a career area that interests the student and complements the student’s learning.
• Instruct the student regarding appropriate dress, language, and behavior in a place of business.
• Coordinate transportation and meals, if necessary.
• Discuss expectations for the experience and what the student may learn beforehand.
• Develop the pre- and post-connecting classroom activities.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.

Job Shadow

Definition: A work-site experience allowing students to explore careers by interacting, usually one-on-one, with an employee for a three- to six-hour time period.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Prepare for the student visit.
• Establish the schedule with the school or School-to-Career contact.
• Allow students to shadow for a predetermined period of time.
• Highlight employability and academic skills used on the job and help connect those skills to student learning at school.
• Adhere to all applicable child labor laws.
• Arrange for hands-on experiences, if applicable.
• Accommodate special needs.
• Provide feedback to job shadow organizer(s).

Guidelines for the Student:

• Participate in pre- and post-shadowing classroom activities.
• Have applicable parent permission to participate.
• Arrive at work-site appropriately dressed and on time.
• Be observant and ask appropriate questions.
• Comply with all health, safety, and environmental standards and regulations.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the School:

• Supply the employer with information regarding the participants.
• Inquire about dress, times, and other information needed prior to the experience.
• Assure parental permission is signed and secured prior to the visit.
• Ensure that the experience occurs in a career area that interests the student and complements the student’s learning.
• Instruct the student regarding appropriate dress, language, and behavior in a place of business.
• Coordinate transportation and meals, if necessary.
• Discuss expectations for the experience and what the student may learn beforehand.
• Develop the pre- and post-shadowing connecting classroom activities.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.

Mentoring

Definition: A process where an employee(s) helps a student acquire the skills, knowledge and work habits that lead to successful careers. The mentor may instruct the student, critique the student’s work or challenge the student to perform well while working in collaboration with teachers and/or youth organizations. The relationship may be electronic, one-on-one, or one mentor working with several youth. Mentoring programs vary in length and commitment of time.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Work with organizer(s) as a resource for preparation.
• Participate in mentoring training.
• Share educational/career/personal experience to help the student(s) understand important workplace skills and work ethics.
• Understand student learning expectations and take time to understand what the student is hoping to learn.
• Establish an appropriate schedule of mentoring activities.
• Establish and communicate appropriate safety and security guidelines and procedures.
• Provide feedback to mentorship organizer(s).

Guidelines for the Student:

• Participate in workplace skills, activities and discussions.
• Provide appropriate signed parent permission forms.
• Jointly set regular meeting times with mentor.
• Understand and follow the work-site expectations.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.
• Write a thank you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the School and/or Community Organization:

• Designate a mentoring coordinator to serve as a resource to both the mentor and the student.
• Supply the employer with information regarding the participant(s).
• Inquire about dress, times, and other information needed prior to the experience.
• Establish and communicate appropriate safety and security guidelines and procedures.
• Establish student learning expectations and communicate to students and mentors.
• Arrange for a mentoring workshop for mentors and an orientation for students.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.

Summer Youth Employment

Definition: Summer experiences for youth that connect academic learning with workplace skills. This may be a paid or a non-paid experience.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Employers select, hire and train the students.
• Determine the work schedule for the experience.
• Adhere to all applicable child labor laws.
• Comply with standards established by the sponsoring organization.
• Maintain contact with the liaison of the sponsoring organization.
• Provide feedback to the sponsoring organization.

Guidelines for Students:

• Meet any eligibility requirements of the sponsoring organization.
• Participate in connecting classroom activities, where applicable.
• Comply with all health, safety, and environmental standards and regulations.
• Maintain contact with the sponsoring organization.
• Immediately report any accidents or injuries to your employer contact and/or sponsoring liaison contact, and seek prompt medical treatment if necessary.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the Sponsoring Organization:

• Supply the employer with information regarding the participants.
• Inquire about dress, times, and other information needed prior to the experience.
• Discuss workers’ compensation insurance coverage with the employer, where applicable.
• Provide orientation for the employers and students during which time the summer work plan will be reviewed.
• Develop the connecting classroom activities.
• Ensure the students meet the requirements to participate.
• Provide appropriate recognition.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.

Workplace Tour

Definition: Employer-led work-site tours which provide students with the opportunity to see work processes and skills used in a variety of jobs. Tours generally last from 2-4 hours.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Provide enough tour guides to divide learners into small groups.
• Provide a back-up tour guide.
• Communicate any special dress requirements in advance of the tour.
• Provide an overview of the company, its unique products and services, types of jobs within the company and other important information.
• Provide any necessary personal protective equipment to meet safety guidelines.
• Highlight employability and academic skills used on the job and help connect those skills to student learning at school.
• Allow, if possible, interaction with employees.
• Accommodate special needs.
• Provide feedback to tour organizer(s).

Guidelines for the Participants:

• Participate in pre- and post-connecting classroom activities.
• Be attentive and ask appropriate questions.
• Arrive at work-site appropriately dressed and on time.
• Comply with all health, safety and environment standards and regulations.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the School:

• Supply the employer with information regarding participants.
• Inquire about dress, times, and other information needed prior to the tour.
• Establish participant learning expectations and communicate to the participants and business.
• Plan post-tour discussion or debrief sessions to share information.
• Develop the pre- and post-connecting classroom activities.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.
• Ensure the employers receive a thank-you note.

Educator Exploration

Definition: An opportunity for a small group of educators to visit several businesses, within a selected career pathway, for a minimum of three hours, to learn about career options and understand the specific skills and educational requirements students need to succeed in the business environment.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Identify a coordinator who will develop the experience in the business.
• Share information with educators about the unique products and services the business provides.
• Provide a tour and information sessions that gives educators a broad overview of the career opportunities and skill expectations for a range of employment levels in the business.
• Highlight employability and academic skills used on the jobs and help connect those skills to the participant as well as to student learning at school.
• Assure educators direct contact with a range of employees (including entry level).
• Accommodate special needs.
• Provide feedback to exploration organizer(s).

Guidelines for the Educators:

• Attend all scheduled business visits.
• Attend pre- and post-workshop sessions.
• Arrive at work-site appropriately dressed and on time.
• Complete individual and team learning activities to be shared with colleagues and business hosts and used in the classroom.
• Complete an evaluation at the conclusion of the experience.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the Exploration Coordinator:

• Supply the employer with information regarding the participants.
• Inquire about dress, times, and other information needed prior to the experience.
• Match educators to the workplace.
• Provide pre- and post-workshop sessions for educators.
• Provide appropriate materials and resources for educators and business hosts.
• Assist in developing a successful experience for the educator group.
• Publish the learning activities for educators and business hosts.
• Provide feedback and follow-up from all evaluations.

Educator Externship

Definition: This opportunity allows a business to host one or more educators for at least two weeks at the work-site or business. Educators actually work in businesses and experience first-hand how they operate on a daily basis to understand the kinds of skills students need to be successful.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Provide a coordinator for educators in your business.
• Participate in the matching process.
• Assist in developing a work schedule or plan for the educator.
• Provide background information for the educator prior to the externship.
• Highlight employability and academic skills used on the jobs and connect those skills to the participant as well as student learning at school.
• Share information with educators about the unique products and services the business provides.
• Provide a workspace for the educator.
• Monitor and assist with questions and issues about the work experience.
• Accommodate special needs.
• Provide feedback to externship organizer(s).

Guidelines for the Educator:

• Attend pre- and post-workshop sessions.
• Arrive at work-site appropriately dressed and on time.
• Communicate openly with the externship coordinator or business host concerning any problems, concerns, or conditions that are interfering with progress at the work-site.
• Complete a student learning project to be shared with colleagues and business hosts and used in the classroom.
• Complete an evaluation at the conclusion of the experience.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the Externship Coordinator:

• Supply the employer with information regarding the participants.
• Inquire about dress, times, and other information needed prior to the experience.
• Match educators to the workplace.
• Provide pre- and post-workshop sessions for educators.
• Provide appropriate materials and resources for educators and business hosts.
• Work directly with the business host, if requested, to assist in developing the on-site experience.
• Publish the learning projects for educators and business hosts.
• Provide feedback and follow-up from all evaluations.

Educator Job Shadow

Definition: A work-site experience allowing educators to explore careers by interacting, usually one-on-one, with an employee for a three- to six-hour time period.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Prepare for the educator visit.
• Arrange a back-up shadow host in case of emergency.
• Establish the schedule with the school or School-to-Career contact.
• Allow educators to shadow for a predetermined period of time.
• Highlight employability and academic skills used on the job and help connect those skills to the participant and student learning at school.
• Arrange for hands-on experiences, if applicable.
• Accommodate special needs.
• Provide feedback to job shadow organizer(s).

Guidelines for the Educator:

• Participate in pre- and post-shadowing activities that incorporate connections to student learning.
• Arrive at work-site appropriately dressed and on time.
• Be observant and ask appropriate questions.
• Comply with all health, safety, and environmental standards and regulations.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the Job Shadow Coordinator:

• Supply the employer with information regarding the participants.
• Inquire about dress, times, and other information needed prior to the experience.
• Ensure that the experience occurs in a career area that interests the educator and complements their students’ learning.
• Discuss expectations for the experience and what the educator may learn beforehand.
• Develop the pre- and post-shadowing connecting activities that incorporate connections to student learning.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.

Educator Tour

Definition: Employer-led work-site tours which provide educators with the opportunity to see work processes and skills used in a variety of jobs. Tours generally last from 2-4 hours.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Provide enough tour guides to divide learners into small groups.
• Provide a back-up tour guide.
• Communicate any special dress requirements.
• Provide an overview of the company, its unique products and services, types of jobs within the company and other important information.
• Provide any necessary personal protective equipment to meet safety guidelines.
• Highlight employability and academic skills used on the job and help connect those skills to the participant as well as student learning at school.
• Allow, if possible, interaction with employees.
• Accommodate special needs.
• Provide feedback to the tour organizer(s).

Guidelines for the Participants:

• Participate in pre- and post-connecting activities that incorporate connections to student learning.
• Be attentive and ask appropriate questions.
• Arrive at work-site appropriately dressed and on time.
• Comply with all health, safety and environment standards and regulations.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the Coordinator:

• Supply the employer with information regarding participants.
• Inquire about dress, times, and other information needed prior to the tour.
• Establish participant learning expectations and communicate to the participants and businesses.
• Plan post-tour discussions or debrief sessions to share information.
• Develop the pre- and post-connecting activities that incorporate connections to student learning.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.
• Ensure that employers receive a thank-you note.

Career Fair Presenter

Definition: Career Fair presenters meet informally with students from two to six hours to share information about career options, opportunities, classroom connections, and on-going education. Presenters represent a variety of employers, employees, human resource professionals, and post-secondary educators.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Work with the career fair organizer(s) as a resource for preparation.
• Tailor your presentation and materials to student age and development.
• Use visual aids, handouts, sample products and hands-on activities as appropriate.
• Share your experiences and information on job descriptions, skills, and educational preparation.
• Highlight employability and academic skills used on the jobs and help connect those skills to student learning at school.
• Provide feedback to career fair organizer(s).

Guidelines for the Student:

• Be attentive and ask appropriate questions.
• Be polite – the speaker is your guest.
• Participate in pre- and post-connecting classroom activities.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the School:

• Supply the employer with information regarding the participants.
• Have students prepare questions prior to the Fair.
• Prepare the pre- and post-connecting classroom activities.
• Participate in the Career Fair—do not leave the guests in charge of the students.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Classroom Career Speaker

Definition: An individual who speaks with a class and describes his/her personal, professional experiences, required training, and other pertinent career awareness information. Guest speaking engagements take place at the school for approximately one hour.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Work with School-to-Career contact as a resource for preparation.
• Tailor your presentation and materials to student age and development.
• Use visual aids, handouts, sample products and hands-on activities as appropriate.
• Relate current classroom activities to the workplace.
• Share your experiences and information on job descriptions, requirements, skills, and educational preparation.
• Highlight employability and academic skills used on the jobs and help connect those skills to student learning at school.
• Provide feedback to School-to-Career contact or event organizer.

Guidelines for the Students:

• Be attentive and ask appropriate questions.
• Be polite – the speaker is your guest.
• Participate in pre- and post-connecting classroom activities.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the Teacher:

• Supply the speaker with information regarding the participants.
• Prepare the students for the presenter’s visit.
• Develop the pre- and post-connecting classroom activities.
• Participate in the discussion—do not leave the guest in charge of the classroom.
• Invite a variety of speakers with different experiences to the classroom.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.
• Write a thank-you note to the speaker.

Classroom Simulation

Definition: A business provides or assists with a classroom-based activity that mirrors actual work-related concepts and applications.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Highlight employability and academic skills used on a job or a variety of jobs.
• Select an activity or activities that help students connect skills to academic learning at school.
• Tailor your presentation and materials to student age and development.
• Seek input on how to relate the simulation to current classroom activities.
• Provide feedback to the event organizer or School-to-Career contact.

Guidelines for the Students:

• Be observant and ask appropriate questions.
• Participate in pre- and post-connecting classroom activities.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the Teacher:

• Supply the employer with information regarding the participant(s).
• Provide input on how to relate the simulation to current classroom activities.
• Seek input on how to relate the simulation to current classroom activities.
• Develop the pre- and post-connecting classroom activities.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.

Curriculum and Standards Assistance

Definition: A business person or other professional works with educators to link academic and workplace knowledge and skills by sharing business practices.

Guidelines for the Business Host:

• Provide an informed professional to work with educators for a specified period.
• Participate fully in the planning and goal-setting process.
• Provide background and technical information for the educator as needed.
• Share with educators about the unique products and services the business provides.
• Highlight workplace and academic skills needed for occupations in your field and connect those skills to the participant as well as to student learning at school.
• Monitor and assist with questions and issues about the work experience.
• Provide a workspace for the educator if needed, and accommodate special needs.
• Provide input and feedback at all stages of the process.

Guidelines for the Educator:

• Attend and participate fully in planning and goal-setting meetings.
• Share information with employer about your school, classroom, students and academic community.
• Highlight the academic process, including curriculum requirements, assessment measures, special challenges/needs, etc.
• Provide a workspace for the employer if needed, and accommodate special needs.
• Monitor and assist with questions and issues about the classroom experience.
• Provide input and feedback at all stages of the process.
• Communicate openly with appropriate individuals about any problems, concerns, or conditions that are interfering with progress at the worksite.
• Complete an evaluation at the conclusion of the experience.
• Keep written records of your progress and prepare a written report of your findings for the school administration.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the Project Coordinator:

• Supply the employer with information regarding the participant(s) and school.
• Inquire about dress, times, and other information needed prior to the experience.
• Match educators to the workplace and provide support as needed.
• Provide appropriate materials and resources for educators and business hosts.
• Work directly with the business host as needed to design the onsite experience.
• Publish the learning projects for educators, business host and the community.
• Provide feedback and follow-up from all evaluations.

Mentoring

Definition: A process where an employee(s) helps a student acquire the skills, knowledge and work habits that lead to successful careers. The mentor may instruct the student, critique the student’s work or challenge the student to perform well while working in collaboration with teachers and/or youth organizations. The relationship may be electronic, one-on-one, or one mentor working with several youth. Mentoring programs vary in length and commitment of time.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Work with organizer(s) as a resource for preparation.
• Participate in mentoring training.
• Share educational/career/personal experience to help the student(s) understand important workplace skills and work ethics.
• Understand student learning expectations and take time to understand what the student is hoping to learn.
• Establish an appropriate schedule of mentoring activities.
• Establish and communicate appropriate safety and security guidelines and procedures.
• Provide feedback to mentorship organizer(s).

Guidelines for the Student:

• Participate in workplace skills, activities and discussions.
• Provide appropriate signed parent permission forms.
• Jointly set regular meeting times with mentor.
• Understand and follow the work-site expectations.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.
• Write a thank you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the School and/or Community Organization:

• Designate a mentoring coordinator to serve as a resource to both the mentor and the student.
• Supply the employer with information regarding the participant(s).
• Inquire about dress, times, and other information needed prior to the experience.
• Establish and communicate appropriate safety and security guidelines and procedures.
• Establish student learning expectations and communicate to students and mentors.
• Arrange for a mentoring workshop for mentors and an orientation for students.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.

Mock Interview

Definition: A mock interview provides an opportunity for students to practice their interview skills in a simulated, one-on-one setting. The interview usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes. Interviewer feedback is an essential aspect of this learning experience.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Work with the School-to-Career contact as a resource for preparation.
• Review sample interview questions prior to the mock interview.
• Establish the schedule with the school.
• Review the feedback/evaluation form prior to the interview.
• Share your organization's job application or interview process with the School-to-Career contact.
• Provide feedback to interview organizer(s).

Guidelines for the Students:

• Participate in pre- and post-interview classroom activities.
• Arrive for the interview appropriately dressed and on time.
• Complete formal or informal feedback at the completion of the experience.
• Participate in on-going connecting classroom activities.
• Write a thank-you note at the completion of the experience.

Guidelines for the School:

• Supply the employer with information regarding the participants.
• Instruct the student regarding appropriate dress, language, and behavior in a place of business.
• Discuss expectations for the experience and what the student may learn beforehand.
• Develop the pre- and post-interview connecting activities.
• Develop a formal or informal feedback process.

School-Based Enterprise

Definition: An opportunity in which students gain knowledge and experience at the school site performing all aspects of running a business, with adult guidance and support from school, business and community professionals.

Guidelines for the Business:

• Provide expertise and assistance in business development.
• Assist and advise the school-based enterprise in resource development.
• Highlight employability and academic skills used on a job or a variety of jobs.
• Provide feedback to the event organizer(s).

Guidelines for Students:

• Participate in the operation of the School-Based Enterprise.
• Participate in connecting classroom activities.
• Help plan and participate in appropriate recognition.

Guidelines for the School:

• Include the School-Based Enterprise as an integral part of the student learning process.
• Collaborate with the business/community to support the School-Based Enterprise.
• Develop an ongoing informal and/or formal feedback process.
• Designate resources in support of the School-Based Enterprise.
• Encourage support for the School-Based Enterprise.
• Provide appropriate recognition for students and business and community professionals.