Center for Research on College-Workforce Transitions

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Center for Research on College-Workforce Transitions

The Center for Research on College-Workforce Transitions at UW-Madison conducts applied research on student experiences with college to work transitions.

The mission of the Center for Research on College-Workforce Transitions (CCWT) is to conduct and support research, critical policy analysis, and public dialogue on student experiences with the transition from college to the workforce in order to inform policies, programs and practices that promote academic and career success for all learners.

02/21/2026

What does a strong internship experience look like? 💭

For our Marketing & Communications Intern, Nadia Choi, it’s the opportunity to collaborate with peers while strengthening the communication and leadership skills employers actively seek.

At CCWT, the WELL Project is intentionally designed to bridge research and practice, equipping interns with experience grounded in employer-informed insights.

Hear more from our interns about their experiences with CCWT internship tools and resources at our upcoming webinar on March 11, 1:15 PM CST!

Register here ❣️https://uwmadison.zoom.us/meeting/register/c9P7jnwmTL27uz8Ct0seWg #/registration

02/19/2026

It's here! "Hiring for the Future" is CCWT’s new guide for employers looking to launch or strengthen high-impact work-integrated learning programs. 📕

Internships remain one of the strongest talent pipelines for employers — and the demand is only growing:

80% rank internships as their #1 source of ROI.
50–60% of interns convert to full-time roles.
Applications per internship have doubled since 2023.

Grounded in over a decade of research, this guide offers practical steps for designing structured, well-supervised programs that work for interns and employers alike.

We’re deeply grateful to Sandy Botcher, Amanda Drobek, Ann Franz, and Nathaniel S. for sharing their insights and helping ensure this guide reflects the real employer experience.

Explore the resource here 👉https://ccwt.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Hiring-for-the-Future.pdf

02/09/2026

Liking your job isn’t just about what you do—it’s about where you do it.

When you align your values with your work environment, you’re more likely to perform well, be recognized, and grow in your career. ☀️

As students move through their job search, we encourage them to stay grounded in what matters most to them. Our Tune-In Toolkit resources, Knowing Your Personal and Professional Values (Parts 1 & 2), support reflection on career fit, workplace culture, and the values that guide professional choices.

Check it out 👉 https://ccwt.wisc.edu/tuned-in-toolkits/

02/04/2026

More than half of the students who want internships never secure one.

Drawing on data from the National Survey of College Internships, this 2024 CCWT report examines how internship barriers differ by institution type, student background, and field of study. Using heat map visualization and logistic regression, we've identified which barriers most frequently limit internship access and for whom.

Read the Research: https://ccwt.wisc.edu/publication/navigating-barriers-to-access-internships-challenges-for-thwarted-interns-across-institution-types-and-student-demographics/

01/28/2026

Don't forget to join us this Thursday for an exciting webinar with Ann Franz, Executive Director of NEW Manufacturing Alliance!

From internship and talent development strategies to a behind-the-scenes look at Draft Day at Lambeau Field, workforce projections, and practical approaches to addressing today’s talent and skills shortages, we’ll explore what’s shaping the future of manufacturing workforce development.

📍 Thursday, January 29 | 12–1 PM CST | Live Online

We're looking forward to it! Register Here 🔗: https://lnkd.in/gSgCR44f

01/23/2026

College can be stressful!

Our Tune-In to Strive Out Institute is committed to supporting students through this journey by offering career and wellness resources backed by proven methods and shaped by student input —and they’re valuable for professionals, too! 🌱

Check out one of our newest installments, “Building Your Wellness Foundation in College.” in the comments below! 👇

12/15/2025

It’s internship season—and a perfect moment to ask what the research really tells us about high-quality internship experiences.

In this recorded CCWT webinar, Mindi Thompson, Executive Director of CCWT, explores common challenges facing many current internship programs, examines which metrics actually matter, and introduces evidence-based frameworks for designing meaningful internships. Grounded in rich qualitative data and student insights, the session highlights what students and employers say supports their goals, learning, and successful college-to-workforce transitions.

Watch the Recorded Session 👉https://ccwt.wisc.edu/videos/

12/08/2025

We often hear from faculty who want to support students’ skill development but feel constrained by time, resources, and ever-shifting expectations.

CCWT Founding Director Matthew Hora’s Teaching Transferable Skills Using a Sociocultural Perspective provides a guide that moves beyond generic skills lists toward approaches rooted in the real disciplinary cultures where students learn.

As higher education places increasing emphasis on “career readiness,” the resource reframes skills like critical thinking and communication as complex socio-cultural habits shaped through participation in specific communities, disciplines, and professional worlds. Hora notes that many faculty haven’t been trained to teach these kinds of skills, and that common PD models—technique-focused or one-off workshops—rarely address this deeper challenge. His guide fills that gap with tools designed to honor faculty autonomy and institutional realities.

If you’re a faculty member, PD professional, or career practitioner, this work invites us to see skills not as generic competencies, but as culturally rooted habits of mind developed through authentic disciplinary practice.

Read the full guide 👉https://ccwt.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025_Hora_Guide-to-Teaching-Transferable-Skills_UWMadison.pdf

11/05/2025

Our Fall 2025 Conference is this Thursday, and we’re excited to welcome Kaila Bingen, Amy Kohler Garrigan, and Carey Watters from University of Wisconsin-Parkside

In their symposium, they’ll share lessons from UW–Parkside’s experiential learning faculty development model, which helps instructors integrate career readiness and reflection into their teaching.

Catch their session tomorrow on Day 1 of the conference! 🌟

Registration is still open → https://uwmadison.eventsair.com/ccwt-2025-fall-conference/registration/Site/Register

10/31/2025

Don’t let FOMO win this fall - join us for the CCWT Fall Conference!

Registration is just $45 for one or both days, with breakfast, lunch, and snacks included — and it’s FREE for all students.

Come celebrate shared learning, community building, and supporting students through the college-to-career transition with us!

📅 November 6–7 |📍 Memorial Union, Madison, WI

Registration Link https://ccwt.wisc.edu/conference-25/

10/28/2025

We’re back with more of our incredible breakout and symposia speakers for the CCWT Fall Conference.

With topics spanning from workshop development and LinkedIn’s role in the job market to Career Lab insights and social support for Black college students, these sessions bring fresh perspectives on preparing students for future-ready careers.

Don't miss your chance to see them speak! Register here 🎖️: https://uwmadison.eventsair.com/ccwt-2025-fall-conference/registration/Site/Register

Join us November 6–7 at Memorial Union for community, good food, and inspiring conversations.

Address

21 N Park Street
Madison, WI
53715

Website

https://ccwt.wisc.edu/

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