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Are you a former WLC student? Did you participate in a WLC job shadow or internship? We would love to hear your story! Share how your WLC experience influenced your education, career path, or future goals. Your story could be the inspiration another student needs to take that first step toward their future. Share your story.

WLC Alumni Feature: Belle Canney

Belle Canney graduated from Kennedy High School in 2017. While there, she completed two WLC job shadows and one WLC internship. She was placed in a special education internship at Wright Elementary in Cedar Rapids, which motivated and inspired her to become an educator. Nine years later, she is in her fourth year of teaching eighth grade English Language Arts, and she directs the school’s musicals! Learn how her early career exploration experiences with WLC guided her path after high school.

Tell us about your internship experience at Wright Elementary.

My internship host was Beth Knipfer, and I got to observe how an elementary special education room was run. I remember being very nervous and wanting to make sure I seemed professional. I had some experience with special education; I had been volunteering in the special education classrooms at Kennedy for a few years and was president of the Best Buddies Club, but I didn’t know what to expect when I wasn’t with students my own age. Beth was very kind and helped push me to interact with the students and teach my own lessons, mostly by reading to them at the end of the day. She also had me observe the general education classrooms, so I got a mix of experiences.

What impact did your internship and job shadow experiences have on you?

My experiences confirmed for me that I wanted to go into education. I got a wider perspective on the differences in elementary, middle, and high school educational settings, and ultimately it helped me to choose middle school as my sweet spot.

My experiences with WLC helped turn my interest in education into something I could actually picture myself doing as a career. I already knew I enjoyed working with students through volunteering with Best Buddies, but my internship gave me the opportunity to see what teaching looked like from the other side of the classroom. It helped me feel confident pursuing education in college, and it gave me an early glimpse of the kind of teacher I wanted to become.

What has your education and career path been since graduating from high school?

After graduation, I attended Coe College, where I majored in English and Theatre Arts with a minor in Secondary Education. I have been at Wilson Middle School for the last four years. I am also currently earning my master’s in K through 12 special education, which feels like I’ve come full circle.

My favorite part about my job is the students; they make me laugh every day. I love seeing their faces when a skill finally clicks in their brain. It is the most rewarding job I could have ever asked for.

Why should current high school students consider exploring careers through job shadows and internships while in high school?

Current high school students should consider exploring careers through job shadows and internships because it’s a lot easier to figure out whether you like something when you actually get to try it! You can research a career, talk to people, and imagine what your future might look like, but there’s no substitute for seeing the day-to-day reality of a job. You might discover something you absolutely love, or you might discover a career isn’t for you after all. Both outcomes are valuable. It’s OK not to have your whole future figured out in high school, and experiences like these can help you make more informed decisions about college, your major, and your career. I was lucky enough to come away from my internship feeling more confident in the path I wanted to take, and I think every student deserves the opportunity to explore those possibilities for themselves.

You are now getting involved with WLC as a volunteer. What motivated you to pay these experiences forward to today’s students?

I see my own students thinking about what they’ll do in the future, and I know how overwhelming it can feel to figure out what comes next. I wanted to help give other students the same opportunity I had: to explore their interests, build confidence, and learn a little more about themselves before making those big decisions.

Take a Peek Career Week Highlights the Power of the Job Shadow

Workplace Learning Connection hosted its inaugural Take a Peek Career Week Oct. 24 – 30, shining a spotlight on the impact of job shadowing and career exploration experiences for students across eastern Iowa.

While WLC facilitates career connections throughout the entire school year, Take a Peek Career Week was created to bring greater awareness to the value of these experiences for both students and employers. Over the course of the event, approximately 750 students from 42 high schools across Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington counties participated in more than 50 job shadow experiences with local employers. Students spent time inside area workplaces, learning directly from professionals and gaining valuable insight into careers available throughout the region.

“Take a Peek Career Week gave students the chance to step inside a workplace and experience a career firsthand,” said WLC Director Kristine Bullock. “A few hours with a professional can help a student confirm an interest, discover something completely new, or realize a career isn’t the right fit. All of those outcomes are valuable as students begin thinking about their next steps after high school.”

The event also highlighted the critical role local employers play in developing the region’s future workforce. By opening their doors to students, participating businesses introduced young people to career opportunities close to home while helping them understand the education, training, and skills required for success.

“Take a Peek Career Week allowed us to showcase in a few days what happens across our region all year long,” Bullock said. “Every school year, we connect thousands of students with local employers for meaningful career exploration experiences. By concentrating those experiences into a single week, we were able to draw attention to the impact these partnerships have on students, employers, and our communities.”

Throughout the year, WLC connects schools and employers to provide students with career exploration opportunities, including classroom speakers, worksite tours, career fairs, career preparation activities, job shadows, and internships. During the previous academic year alone, WLC coordinated 4,735 job shadow experiences for students across its service area.

The value of those experiences continues to be reflected in student feedback. According to WLC’s 2025 – ’26 student survey:

• 98% of students reported that their job shadow experience provided valuable information about their career interests
• 96% reported increased awareness of career opportunities available in their community/Iowa
• 90% said it influenced their selection of a career field
• 75% said the experience positively influenced their decision to live and work in Iowa

A total of 52 businesses and organizations participated in the inaugural Take a Peek Career Week, representing industries including healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, media, education, public safety, and business. Their partnership helped create meaningful career connections and strengthened ties between schools, employers, and the communities they serve.

Participating businesses:

BankIowa, Bayer Crop Science – Williamsburg

Billion Chevrolet Buick GMC

Brown’s West Branch

C S Auto Body LLC

Capri Cosmetology College – Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids Police Department

Cedar’s Edge Evergreen Market

CIVCO Medical Solutions

Clickstop, Inc.

DNR – Iowa Geological Survey

Frontier Co-op

Gingerich Well & Pump Service

GunnySac Designs

Highland Elementary

ITS – Infrastructure Technology Solutions

Jen Lewis Photography

Jet Air, Inc.

Johnson County Attorney’s Office

KCRG TV-9

Kirkwood Community College – Agricultural Sciences

Kirkwood Community College – Business and Information Technology

Kirkwood Community College – Nursing

KGYM 1600

KZIA 102.9 FM

Linn County Conservation – Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center

Lone Tree Elementary

Marion Police Department

McCreedy Ruth Construction, LLC

Mercy Medical Center

Mercy/St. Luke’s School of Radiologic Technology

Metal Design Systems Inc.

NewBoCo, North Liberty Police Department

PCI Academy

Schultz Strings, Inc.

Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services – Cedar Rapids

Skogman Realty – Cedar Rapids

Systems Unlimited, Inc. – Iowa City

The Summit of Coralville

Theatre Cedar Rapids

United Way of East Central Iowa

UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital

University of Iowa College of Pharmacy

University of Iowa Health Care

University of Iowa School of Music

Viking Maintenance

Virginia Gay Hospital

West Branch Family Dentistry

Career Fairs Introduce Students to Local Careers and Industries

When November was Career Fair Month at Workplace Learning Connection. Throughout the month, more than 2,000 high school students participated in four WLC career fair events, gaining firsthand exposure to local industries, exploring potential career paths, and connecting with employers from across the region.

The month kicked off with the Construction Apprenticeship Fair, where students explored opportunities in the skilled trades. Next came the Iowa County High School Career Fair and the Vinton-Shellsburg Career Fair, followed by the second annual Washington County High School Career Fair.

These engaging, hands-on events gave students opportunities to interact directly with local professionals, learn about in-demand careers, and discover the diverse industries that drive our regional economy, including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, business, and skilled trades.

“WLC has been instrumental in making connections with our local businesses for our career fair,” said Christine McSweeney, associate principal at Vinton-Shellsburg High School. “It is so important for students to see career options available in our community as they are preparing to enter the workforce. Career fairs can help students see that their interests and passions can turn into a career they can really enjoy.”

Connecting students with local employers early plays a critical role in building a strong future workforce, particularly in rural communities.

“Career fairs are such an amazing opportunity for students to explore and understand the companies and career paths available to them close to home,” said WLC Director Kristine Bullock. “The response from the business community has also been amazing. Employers are eager to connect with students because workforce development and building strong talent pipelines are top priorities across every industry.”

Beyond introducing students to specific careers, these events help broaden their understanding of the opportunities available in their own communities.

“Oftentimes, students aren’t even aware of all the amazing companies and career opportunities we have right here in our region,” Bullock added. “We want students to envision their futures here, knowing they can build meaningful, successful careers close to home. The long-term success of our communities depends on engaging and inspiring the next generation.”

Join Us at Our Next Career Fair!

Want to connect with the next generation of your workforce? WLC’s next fair is the Cedar County High School Career Fair on Feb. 24, 2027, bringing together more than 300 students from West Branch, Tipton, and North Cedar high schools.

Complete our RSVP form to reserve your space!