Work-based learning is an educational approach utilizing the workplace to provide students with the competencies and skills that allow them to connect school experiences to real-life work activities through career exploration, exposure to the real workplace, and achievement of work readiness skills. Find more information about our opportunities below. 

Available Programs

Career Shadowing

• Career Shadowing involves pairing industry partners with students to share aspects related to careers. It is a one-day exposure to the “real world” of work. Student groups tour facilities to get an idea of what individuals do for a living and learn more about a particular industry.

Students@Work

• Students@Work is a career shadowing, job-mentoring initiative sponsored by the North Carolina Business Committee for Education in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The goal of Students@Work is to expose middle school students to career pathway options. Students should be able to see the relevance of the classroom and how it relates to potential, future careers. This event is recognized in Cumberland County Schools CTE classes throughout the month of March through field trips and guest speakers.

Internships

• Internships are short-term employment opportunities (paid or unpaid) that are directly related to a student’s pathway. Students use an internship to determine if they have an interest in a particular career, to create a network of contact and to gain valuable work experience.
  

Innovative Career Opportunities Now (ICON)  Internships

Updated:  March 2024

Summer Internship Program 

The ICON Summer Internship Program allows Cumberland County high school students 15+ to apply and interview to work in paid positions. This work-based learning program is an educational approach utilizing the workplace to provide students with the competencies and skills that allow them to connect school experiences to real-life work activities through career exploration, exposure to the real workplace, and achievement of work readiness skills. 

Benefits of Work-based Learning

• Explore possible careers, enhance skill development, and apply academic proficiencies
• Develop employability skills including positive work habits and attitudes
• Make connections between schools, post-secondary opportunities, and employers
• Improve job prospects after graduation
• Learn from skilled professionals

WORK-BASED LEARNING PROGRAMS
Based on occupational goals, students can be placed in one or more of the following programs:

CAREER SHADOWING (unpaid)
Career Shadowing involves pairing industry partners with students to share aspects related to careers. It is a one-day exposure to the “real world” of work. Student groups tour facilities to get an idea of what individuals do for a living and learn more about a particular industry.

INTERNSHIP (paid or unpaid)
Internships are short-term employment opportunities that are ideally related to a student’s pathway. Students use an internship to determine if they have an interest in a particular career, to create a network of contacts, and to gain valuable work experience.

For more information about ICON or WBL, contact your high school CTE Facilitator. If your company is interested in hosting an ICON intern, please contact us at icon@ccs.k12.nc.us.