Summer Internship Hosts Needed!

Through the Workplace Learning Connection (WLC) Internship Program, area high school juniors and seniors (grades 11 – 12, ages 16 – 18) have the opportunity to apply for internships and gain real-world experience through supervised placements with local businesses.

High school internships are one of the most effective ways to introduce students to the wide range of career opportunities available in our region through hands-on, career-connected learning. Students who participate in the WLC Internship Program earn dual credit through Kirkwood Community College and their local high school while gaining on-site career experience with a business or organization. Students also develop professional skills through a WLC led course.

The Need for Internship Hosts
Demand for high-quality internships continues to grow, particularly during the summer months when we see the largest volume of internship requests. To meet current demand for summer internships, we anticipate needing placements for more than 200 students within the next 90 days.

Hundreds of businesses across our region already partner with WLC to host high school interns. Is your business one of them?

Why Host a High School Intern?
Hosting a high school intern is a meaningful way for businesses to support both current operations and long-term workforce development. Benefits include:

• Building relationships with potential future employees and creating a pipeline of qualified talent
• Gaining an extra set of hands, fresh perspectives, and motivated students eager to contribute
• Increasing student awareness of career opportunities within your business or industry
• Playing a direct role in developing Iowa’s future workforce

Impact by the Numbers (2024 – ’25 Academic Year)

• 47% of WLC interns were offered additional opportunities by their host following completion of their internship
• 89% said their internship increased awareness of local career opportunities
• 92% said their internship influenced their choice of career field
• 60% said the experience positively influenced their decision to live and work in Iowa

Get Involved
Businesses and industries across Iowa continue to face workforce challenges. Hosting internships — and job shadows — through Workplace Learning Connection is a proven, practical way to help address these challenges while making a lasting impact on students.

WLC makes hosting an intern easy, and there are multiple ways to get involved. If your business is interested in learning more, please complete our brief interest survey and a member of our team will be in touch.

Students Can Earn College Credit While in High School — FOR FREE!

Did you know that high school students can earn college credit at no cost?

Kirkwood Community College partners with local school districts to offer opportunities for high school students to enroll part time in college-level courses. Credits earned through the College Credit in High School (CCHS) Program count toward a student’s high school diploma and their future college degree — all at no cost to students or their families.

Whether a student plans to obtain a 4-year degree, a 2-year degree, or specialized training after graduation, there are course options for everyone. Classes can be taken at a Kirkwood regional center, on-site at the high school, or online.

Students can take one or two college-level courses to explore their interests, or enroll in a Kirkwood Career Academy, which is a packaged sequence of career-focused courses designed to provide hands-on learning and early exposure to a career area of interest. The Career Academy programs are designed to allow students to explore a career and participate in hands-on coursework that can jump-start their post-high school educational path.

“Having access to Kirkwood’s College Credit in High School Program expanded my knowledge of the workforce,” said Abigail Tierney, former WLC and CCHS student. “I was able to learn useful skills in the classroom while earning credit in high school and college. With the help of Kirkwood, I felt more prepared for college and joining the workforce.”

Why should high school students consider taking dual-credit courses?

• Big Cost Savings. Dual-enrolled students earn both high school and college credit at NO COST to them or their families! Last year alone, students in our seven-county service region saved over $11 million in tuition and earned over 51,000 credit hours.
• Real-World Experience. Students are able to experience hands-on, real-world scenarios, and in some academies, students can even earn industry-recognized credentials for immediate employment opportunities.
• Proven Student Success. According to an Iowa State University study, students entering college with prior college credit have:
  • Higher grade point averages (their first semester and year)
  • Higher graduation rates
  • Graduate in less time than students without prior college credit
  • Change majors less often than students without prior college credit

Interested in learning more?

• Interested students should first meet with their high school counselor to ensure they’re eligible for CCHS programming and on track for meeting all high school coursework requirements.
• Explore Career Academy options and locations.
• Fill out this interest form and your local regional center coordinator will reach out to discuss all the opportunities available.

Registration is now open for the 2026 – ’27 academic year. Register today!

Community Volunteers Needed for Financial Literacy Fair

Workplace Learning Connection’s Financial Literacy Fair helps eighth grade students learn about the basics of budgeting and financial well-being. WLC collaborates with area middle schools to host this hands-on learning experience with the support of hundreds of community volunteers. Students choose a career and use the starting salary to practice budgeting their life expenses (housing, car, insurance, etc.) at the fair.

To support this event, we are looking for community volunteers. Last year over 400 volunteers donated over 1,200 hours of their time to help us put on this impactful event. Come engage with middle school students and help them learn valuable life skills. Financial expertise is not required. Everything you need to volunteer will be provided.

Last year, one teacher commented, “I cannot say enough nice things about the people who help with this event. FLF is always a good, eye-opening experience for our students, and they enjoy the interactions with the volunteers. I just want to say thank you for taking the time to make a difference for our students.”

WLC will host over 4,800 students from Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Jones, Johnson, Linn, and Washington counties. The fairs will be held on the following dates and locations:

• March 25, March 27, and April 21 – 23 – Johnson County
• April 13 – Washington County
• April 14 – Iowa County
• April 17 – Jones County
• May 4 – 6, May 8, May 12 – 15 – Linn County
  
  We wouldn’t be able to provide this opportunity without support from our community! Click here to sign up to volunteer.