Students use Lego bricks to build models with mentors in a career connected learning program.
Photo credit: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington.

Unlocking the Future:
Career Connected Learning in Action

Career Connect Washington (CCW) is building a robust system for career connected learning in Washington state. By fostering vital connections between educators and employers, we are paving the way for young people to pursue pathways that lead to academic success, economic independence, and personal fulfillment.

A middle aged Iraqi student sits in a classroom, listening to an instructor.
Photo credit: Career Connect Washington.

Ehab’s journey with career connected learning

Ehab Al Hasnawi’s journey exemplifies the impact CCW programs have on expanding career connected learning opportunities. A nuclear technology student who moved to the United States from Iraq in 2015, Ehab initially enrolled in courses at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington, to enhance his English skills. However, he saw the potential to build a better future for his family through the college’s nuclear technology program. Ehab trained for a high-demand local career and appreciated the program’s distinctive approach, noting, “It’s not just about studying and getting a degree; it’s about understanding what you will do while you are at work.”

Photo credit: Washington Maritime Careers.

Building capacity with new program instructor training

An important part of building effective career connected learning programs for students is to ensure instructors have the latest industry training. The K12 Maritime Industry Externship, slated to launch in summer 2024, is a prime example of this effort.

“We know we need to develop and advance strategies to close critical awareness and education access gaps in the maritime industry,” says Ann Avary, Director of the Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology at Skagit Valley College and CCW Maritime Sector Leader. “The K12 Externship Project is a strategy and professional development platform, designed in partnership with ESD 113 and the Washington Student Achievement Council, to bring the maritime industry to the classroom.”

This one-week, paid externship is tailored to K12 Career & Technical Educators (CTE), comprehensive high school, and Skill Center educators and aims to equip instructors with valuable insights into maritime career pathways, foster educator-industry relationships, increase awareness of opportunities in the maritime industry, and develop resource modules to support student career exploration. Participants will earn 25 free CTE STEM Clock Hours and a $3,000 stipend at completion. Interested instructors can apply until March 22.

Students work with mentors to build models in a career connected learning program.
Photo credit: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington.

Career Exploration empowers youth in Southwest Washington

The Career Mentoring Exploration program, led by CCW grantee Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Southwest Washington, is another example of career connected learning in action. This initiative matches youth aged 15-21 with professional mentors across various industries and engages underrepresented communities, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, low-income, and post-high school youth.

As part of the Career Mentoring Exploration program, participants meet monthly with their mentor and a BBBS staff member, exploring careers in architecture, construction, and property management, or finance and real estate. At the end of the school year, program participants can apply for paid internships and scholarships through South Puget Sound Community College, enhancing their prospects for future success.

Since its inception three years ago, Career Mentoring Exploration has seen female representation in the flagship architecture track skyrocket, with nine out of ten young people enrolled for the 2023-2024 school year female-identifying.

A man in a grey sweater wearing glasses sits at a desk behind a laptop.

For partners: learn how to use the CCW online story bank

CCW has resources available for Network partners to enhance and promote career connected learning opportunities. Among these resources is a “how-to” guide for the recently launched online story bank.

This guide describes the story bank’s organization, purpose, and best practices for effective storytelling. Narratives featured in the CCW story bank can be repurposed in newsletters, social media, presentations, and more. We encourage you to integrate these stories into your communication strategies and to check back regularly – the story bank will be updated on a rolling basis as new career-connected learning programs launch. To submit a story, email [email protected].

Looking forward

We appreciate the invaluable partnerships that enable us to do this work and look forward to continuing to grow our network. Because when everyone has the opportunity to explore and the power to choose their own future, Washington thrives.