Workplace Learning Connection

That's a wrap for the 2025-2026 school year!

Thank you to all of our community partners who volunteered their time to help students explore careers, prepare for the workforce, and build a foundation of success for their future.

Check out the below video to see some of the amazing experiences YOU helped support!

School Year 2025-2026 Year in Review The 2025-2026 school year was full of learning, exploration, discov...

During the 2025-2026 school year, we once again partnered with Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity to place 10 student interns on a Habitat homebuilding project. Throughout the year, students had the unique opportunity to work on the home from start to finish, gaining hands-on experience in every phase of the construction process.

“Students work on all aspects of the project from excavation to final finishes,” said Leslie Neugebauer, development director at Habitat for Humanity. “During each class period, they learn from and network with construction professionals
in the industry.”

In addition to working on-site, students explored the many career paths connected to homebuilding and the skilled trades. They toured local industry partners, including Croell, Inc. and , and met with city officials to learn more about the regulations and planning involved in residential construction.

The program not only gave students valuable real-world experience, but also helped them build connections with professionals and potential future employers while exploring careers in the trades.

Linn-Mar Community Schools View Community High School

When Tessa Smith looks back on her journey from high school student to structural designer, one thing is clear: her path wasn’t defined by a single moment—but by a series of opportunities sparked by one influential teacher, and a willingness to say “yes.”

A 2020 graduate of Benton Community High School, Tessa took all the shop classes she could in middle and high school. It wasn’t until a new shop teacher joined the school, that her perspective on careers began to shift. “He was really focused on getting us out into the community,” Tessa shared. “We went on field trips, learned about manufacturing, and he brought in more modern tools—like Revit—which introduced me to the technology side of drafting.”

That exposure was pivotal. For the first time, Tessa began to see a connection between what she was learning in the classroom and real-world careers in architecture and engineering. By her senior year, that same teacher required students to complete a job shadow or internship as part of the program—something Tessa admits she may not have pursued otherwise.

That requirement led her to participate in a job shadow at Shive-Hattery’s Architecture and Engineering Day through Workplace Learning Connection. “I didn’t know much about the industry at the time,” she said. “But it was a great experience. It gave me exposure to a company like Shive-Hattery and helped me start thinking more seriously about what I wanted to do after high school.”

While Tessa initially planned to attend Iowa State University, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted her plans. Instead, she chose to enroll in Kirkwood Community College’s Architectural Technology Program—a decision that allowed her to build on the skills she had already started developing in high school.

Her path came full circle when representatives from Shive-Hattery visited Kirkwood to speak with students about job opportunities. Tessa decided to apply. “I knew the company from my job shadow, and I liked what I saw, so I went for it,” she said.

That decision paid off. Today, Tessa has been working in structural design at Shive-Hattery for nearly four years, contributing to industrial projects and collaborating across disciplines.

Today, she helps host job shadow students at Shive-Hattery, the same experience that once helped shape her own future. “It’s definitely a full-circle moment,” she said. “I remember how intimidating it felt to walk in as a student, not knowing anyone. Now I get to be on the other side and help make that experience better for someone else, and help show them how something as seemingly as small as a job shadow can give you connections for down the road.”

Shive-Hattery Benton Community Schools

Where are they now?

Jacey Reineke, a 2024 graduate of Belle Plaine High School, made the most of her high school experience by completing her Associate of Arts degree through Kirkwood Community College’s College Credit in High School Program—all before graduation.

Alongside this impressive academic achievement, Jacey gained valuable real-world experience through a Workplace Learning Connection (WLC) job shadow at Transamerica and a WLC internship at MidWestOne Bank.

“My job shadow and internship experiences helped me see what financial and analytical careers look like in real life,” Jacey shares. “I got to observe professionals and understand the skills they use every day. Having that real-world experience helped me confirm that I wanted to pursue a degree in Actuarial Science, and it made my path after high school feel clear and intentional.”

Jacey is currently studying Actuarial Science at the University of Iowa. Her transition to a large university has been smooth, thanks to the Kirkwood classes she completed while in high school. “Completing my associate’s degree gave me a strong academic foundation, so I felt prepared for the workload and expectations at Iowa,” she says.

Looking ahead, Jacey hopes to one day be working as an actuary, contributing to a company where she can apply her analytical thinking to real world problems. “WLC and Kirkwood opened doors for me. They helped me understand my strengths, explore career options and build the confidence to pursue my dreams!”

Belle Plaine Jr/Sr High Kirkwood - Iowa County Center

"I enjoyed being able to observe how to teach certain subjects and how to use differential learning for kids. The biggest takeaway from my internship was a boost in my confidence and a clearer understanding of what I’m capable of." - Jazmine Nino, Lone Tree High School - WLC winter 2026 intern at Lone Tree Elementary

Lone Tree Community School

Interested in joining the WLC team and making a difference in the lives of area students? We’d love to connect with you!

We have two open positions on our team:
- Internship Coordinator
https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/kirkwoodcc/jobs/5342998/internship-coordinator-workplace-learning-connection

-Business Liaison - Johnson County (195 Day)
https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/kirkwoodcc/jobs/5343281/business-liaison-johnson-county-195-day

We are looking for highly organized, collaborative, and outgoing individuals to join our team. If you or someone you know would be interested, please check out the job postings above.

As we wrap up another Financial Literacy Fair season, we want to give a huge THANK YOU to the hundreds of community volunteers who helped make these events possible! 👏

One of our favorite moments this year was connecting with a volunteer who was once an FLF student participant himself.

Samuel Vint shared that he attended Financial Literacy Fair as an 8th grader at Excelsior Middle School.

“I had no idea how applicable budgeting would be in my future at that point, but I’m very glad I was introduced to it while I was young. When it came to budgeting in real life, I was much better prepared.”

Sam also shared one of his favorite memories from FLF:
“My friends and I decided we were all going to go in together and buy a mansion.”

When asked how that plan is going, he laughed:
“We’re still in the planning phase.” 😂

We love seeing former students come back to give their time and inspire the next generation!

Excelsior Middle School

Hands-on learning ✅

Automotive Careers Day at Billion Automotive

Does this sign make our resume look impressive? 😉

[Hint: the answer is yes]

Thank you Shoemaker & Haaland for teaching students about engineering and surveying careers! We appreciate your partnership.