Student Information
The Work Experience Education Program helps student achieve their educational and career goals through their current job, internship, student worker, or volunteer position. This is a unique experience for students because it provided an opportunity to combine classroom education with mentored work experience in their work environment.
Student Benefits
- Receive college credit for on the job experiences (paid or unpaid)
- Add valuable on-the-job experience to resume
- Learn and improve employment skills under actual working conditions
- Apply classroom theory to real job experiences
- Develop a better understanding of core job functions in the selected industry
- Develop a better understanding of human relations in the workplace
- Network with professionals
What to Expect Out of a Work Experience Class
The Work Experience Class is not a traditional class. Students will meet a total of four (4) times during the session; two on campus with assigned Work Experience Instructor, and two at the student’s job site with Work Experience Instructor and work Supervisor. During the enrolled session, students will be working on three (3) measurable learning objectives/goals in addition to current job expectations and requirements.
Students will also be expected to work on the following competency skills within their work environment. At the end of the course, the student’s supervisor will have an opportunity to grade the student on the following skills, including the three (3) measurable learning objectives/goals:
- Communication
- Customer Service
- Adaptability & creativity
- Problem solving & conflict resolution
- Ability to work under pressure
- Teamwork
- Self-management & responsibility
- Attitude & Integrity
- Punctuality & attendance
- Leadership & decision-making
Additionally, students will be expected to follow the class syllabus to ensure the following assignments are completed/turned in on a timely manner. Students are responsible for scheduling all visits ahead of time and before the due date. Full details and description of each assignment may be found on the course syllabus.
- Application Form
- Class Introduction Video and Knowledge Check
- 1stCoaching Session – on Campus
- 1stJob Site Visit – at student’s job site
- Midterm Coaching Session – on Campus
- Final Job Site Visit – at student’s job site
- Personal Development Assignment
- Reflection Paper
- Timesheets
Students can enroll in a General or Occupational Work Experience course:
General Work Experience (WEG, XXX-095A) is for students who currently have a position that does not directly align with their educational/occupational goal. This course is designed to help students develop individual career and workplace awareness. Students may earn up to six (6) units maximum per semester. Students are required to complete a minimum of 75 hours per unit for paid positions or 60 hours per unit for un-paid positions.
Occupational Work Experience (i.e. AUTO-095A, AGEH-095A, AJ-095A, ECE-095A, etc.) is for students who currently have a position that aligns directly with their educational/occupational goal. Students may earn up to eight (8) units maximum per semester. Students are required to complete a minimum of 75 hours per unit for paid positions or 60 hours per unit for un-paid positions.
Students may earn a combined maximum total of up to 16 work experience units during the entire student’s tenure at COD. Units earned in Work Experience count towards COD’s AA as electives (some Majors may require Work Experience, others may count towards Major electives. All Work Experience units are transferable into the California State University System (CSU), but not the University of California (UC) system (some private institutions may accept Work Experience units).
Steps to Enroll
- You must have a job, internship, volunteer, student worker, or Federal Work Study position lined up before enrolling in Work Experience.
- Before you register on Self-Service, you must know the appropriate Work Experience course in which to enroll in AND determine how many units you can earn up to, based on the total number of hours you will be working during your course session. The following should help:
- Does your current job relate to your occupational/education goal?If your current position does relate to your educational/occupational goal, you may enroll in the appropriate Occupational Work Experience (XXX – 095A) course listed on Self-Service such as AJ, CART, AUTO, HS, KINE, BUMA, BUAC, etc. For a full list of Work Experience courses click on "Work Experience Class Listings" on the left side menu. You may earn 1-8 units in any occupational work experience course (if you meet the hour requirement, see below). A maximum of 16 total units combined throughout your tenure at COD may be earned.
- If your current position does not relate to your occupational/educational goal, you may enroll in General Work Experience (WEG – 095A). You may earn 1 - 6 units of General Work Experience per semester (if you meet the hour requirement, see below). A maximum of 16 total units combined throughout your tenure at COD may be earned.
- Use the chart below to help you determine up to how many units you may qualify to earn based on the number of hours you will complete. There are no exceptions to the minimum hour requirements for paid or unpaid positions and a final grade cannot be issued if total hours are not met by the end of the course.
Approximate Weekly Hours for PAID Positions
| Number of Units | 16-Week Course | 12-Week Course | 8-Week Course | Total Required Hours by the End of the Course |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 6.5 | 9.5 | 75 |
| 2 | 9.5 | 12.5 | 19 | 150 |
| 3 | 14.5 | 19 | 28.5 | 225 |
| 4 | 19 | 25 | 37.5 | 300 |
| 5 | 23.5 | 31.5 | N/A | 375 |
| 6 | 28.5 | 37.5 | N/A | 450 |
| 7 | 33 | N/A | N/A | 525 |
| 8 | 37.5 | N/A | N/A | 600 |
Approximate Weekly Hours for UN-PAID Positions
| Number of Units | 16-Week Course | 12-Week Course | 8-Week Course | Total Required Hours by the End of the Course |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 5 | 7.5 | 60 |
| 2 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 120 |
| 3 | 11.5 | 15 | 22.5 | 180 |
| 4 | 15 | 20 | 30 | 240 |
| 5 | 19 | 25 | 37.5 | 300 |
| 6 | 22.5 | 30 | N/A | 360 |
| 7 | 26.5 | 35 | N/A | 420 |
| 8 | 30 | 40 | N/A | 480 |
- Now that you have determined the correct number units you can earn up to, and what type of work experience course you should enroll in; you may register on Self-Service.
- Note: BEFORE you click "submit", you MUST manually enter the number of units you want to enroll in, if you meet the hour requirement. Self-Service will default to 1 unit if no changes are made. Skipping this step may result in delayed approval of your Application Form once you begin the course and you may not be able to make changes to the number of units enrolled after census date.
- Check Canvas the first day of class to review syllabus, watch the Class Introduction Video, and Complete the required Application Form to begin course.
