Poudre School District (PSD) has a robust work-based learning program that offers Poudre and Thompson School Districts’ high school students internships, apprenticeships, capstone projects, and paid part-time work experience with a variety of community partners. Colorado State University is an ideal community partner for PSD’s work-based learning program and strengthens the CSU-PSD partnership.
PSD uses the platform Xello, an award-winning online program for college and career readiness. PSD has incorporated work-based learning into their future-readiness curriculum in Xello, allowing high school students to see local company profiles and opportunities. Interested CSU employees can create an account on Xello to post and manage their work-based learning opportunities and connect with students.
Work-Based Learning Options
Poudre School District (PSD) has various Work-Based Learning options that you, as the facilitator, can choose from based on your expertise and availability. Below are some of these options, but if you have another idea, we would love to hear it!
Tours
- 1 – 2 Hours
- Virtual Option Available
Host a tour or virtual tour of your facilities to highlight careers within your organization, what a typical day looks like, student opportunities, and/or curricular connection to a specific topic.
Capstone Project
- 2 – 15 Hours
- Virtual Option Available
Collaborate with teachers or students to integrate specific, authentic industry tasks into the curriculum.
Informational Interview
- 20 – 30 Minutes
- Virtual Option Available
Schedule a time to meet with students for an informational interview. Students prepare questions in advance and take an organized approach to converse with the professional. The goal is career exploration with a professional who is in the field.
Guest Speaker
- Variable Time Commitment
- Virtual Option Available
Engage with students in their classroom or a virtual classroom. Speaking engagements should be interactive, with students involved in an activity or a Q&A session.
Internship
- 75+ Hours
- Paid or Unpaid
Provide experiential learning, integrating knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skill development in a professional environment.
Job Shadow
- 2 – 6 Hours
- Virtual Option Available
Provide an opportunity for students to observe, discuss and participate in daily routines and activities of a particular job.
Part-time Job
- 10+ Hours Per Week
- After school or during the summer
Employers offer paid opportunities for students to experience hands-on learning in an area of interest and apply classroom learning in a real-life environment.
Volunteer Experience
- 2+ Hours Per Week
Provide opportunities for students to give back to their local community and learn the importance of service-learning
Career Fairs
A Career Fair is an event that gives students and employers a chance to meet one another, establish professional relationships, and discuss job and/or internship opportunities. Many employers from a variety of industries attend
CSU Work-Based Learning Partners
There are numerous CSU faculty and staff in a variety of disciplines that provide work-based learning opportunities to high schoolers. Read about their work and the types of opportunities they have provided for students.
Multimedia Resources
Do you need data to convince yourself or others about the significant impacts a work-based learning program can have on high schoolers? Our free multimedia resources can be accessed and disseminated to various audiences. If you aren’t seeing data or a format you need, please reach out to the STEM Center by filling out this CONTACT FORM.
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Help Develop the Future’s Workforce
Get started by filling out a request form – which goes directly to PSD staff
