In 2020, much of our world has adapted to a new, virtual environment. While this has proven to be a challenge in many aspects of life and particularly for students, much is still possible in the virtual world. ElevateEdAZ is partnering with employers to accept the challenge, providing work-based learning (WBL) experiences in a virtual format to inspire students in their future college and career goals.
The Benefits of Work-Based Learning in a Virtual Environment
WBL opportunities help students gain real-world experience that connects what they are learning in school to their future careers. Going virtual gives students the flexibility to attend WBL offerings, providing an advantage to learn about careers, skills needed in the workforce, how to prepare for life after high school, and much more. Going virtual also increases accessibility for all students, including those with medical conditions or limited access to transportation.
Students are not the only ones that benefit from going virtual; businesses also gain many benefits from this transition. Businesses can now reach an unlimited number of students and educators virtually, reducing the potential operational costs that come with creating in-person WBL opportunities. Businesses also gain access to a broader talent pool of students interested in that particular industry.
Examples of Virtual Work-Based Learning Opportunities:
- Career Fairs
- Externships
- Industry Tours
- Internships
- Interviews
- Job Shadows
Ideas for Implementing a Successful Work-Based Learning Experience
Career Fairs:
Career fairs offer students the opportunity to learn about different types of careers, career paths, and employability skills. Students can gain general knowledge of careers in a variety of industries and learn what steps they need to take to start a career in the industry they choose.
Career fairs are usually offered in a common area of a school or another location where students can interact in-person with employers. However, in the virtual environment students are still able to attend a career fair and receive the same amount of information as if they were attending in-person. In order to implement these virtual career fairs, employers can use a variety of technology platforms like Vfairs.com or Ecareerfairs.com. These virtual platforms simulate reality and provide students the ability to speak one-on-one with employers through direct chat or video conferencing. Virtual career fairs also have the added benefit to employers of reaching hundreds of more students than a traditional in-person career fair. Employers can use this to their advantage, inspiring even more students to join their field!
Externships:
WBL opportunities also exist for educators. Externships are a way for educators to spend two-to-five days in a professional development learning environment. This allows for teachers to get more acquainted with industries and career paths that their students want to pursue, helping educators enhance their curriculum to match the needs of a changing workforce.
Employers can showcase to educators their expectations of employees and offer direct input into the curriculum that is helping prepare students for the future. Externships are usually offered in-person and in the workplace with companies who may or may not be related to the educator’s field of instruction.
In order to adapt externships virtually, employers can use video conferencing platforms like Zoom or WebEx, among many others. These video conferencing platforms allow employers to simulate an in-person classroom having the ability to share their screen, draw images, and more. During these experiences, employers share the same information regarding their industry and discuss how teachers can develop their curriculum to match the future workforce.
There are almost no limitations to what can be done in a virtual environment. WBL opportunities are important to fully prepare students for their journey of life after high school. Despite the challenges of living in a virtual world, there are many benefits to offering virtual WBL opportunities for businesses, educators, and students.
ElevateEdAZ has already started providing virtual WBL opportunities by partnering with the Center for the Future of Arizona and the Arizona Business and Education Coalition to host Virtual Educator Externships. ElevateEdAZ also hosted its first virtual internship over the summer, providing a recent high school graduate, Ana, with industry experience before she even got to college. Make sure to check out Ana’s blog about her experience being our first virtual intern!