What is Career Connected Learning?

Career connected learning is a career awareness program for rising Seattle students to explore careers, meet a variety of industry professionals, and build an initial career and education plan. Business partners and students can become involved through service-learning projects, work experience, and internships.

Career connected learning can be:

• a businessperson visiting a classroom to talk about what they do
• a job shadow where a young person learns more about an occupation or business.
• an internship or a registered apprenticeship where youth are paid while they learn hands-on skills.

Career Connected Learning Coordinators provide students with information on careers, post-secondary education opportunities, administer career assessment tools, plan on-site presentations and workshops, manage communication and organize career fairs.

Learn more about internships and Work Based Learning 

Learn more about SPS Career Connected Learning

Earn CTE credit for Summer Job/Internship

Does your student have a job or internship this summer? Great news! They can earn up to .5 CTE credits for work/internship experiences. This credit can add to their transcript as a Worksite Learning course…with a grade (most students can earn an A!). For some, this is an opportunity to exhibit accomplishment during high school: build on their “story” for college (it may seed an essay or offer a boost to their transcript as extra credits or higher GPA), also, it may allow for early dismissal to an important job opportunity in 11/12th grade to work more hours, or to enjoy late arrival to school. If a student can get (and keep) a job, SPS knows this is a valuable learning opportunity outside a classroom.

To participate, students must meet the following criteria:

• Must be at least 16 years old
• Must have a job or internship

To enroll in this program, students must complete the following:

• Contact Lincoln’s Career-Connected Learning coordinator, Wyn

Pottinger-Levy (wypottingerlev@seattleschools.org)

• Complete the enrollment packet, return to Ms Wyn, and start earning pay and school credits

To complete this contract, student must complete at least 180 hours in one school year for 0.5 CTE credit (equals a semester-long course). They can earn an entire year (1.0 credit) with 360 hours. Hours don’t count until your enrollment in the SPS program has been approved.

All year, there are postings for Internships and student job opportunities, many paid. Bookmark the SPS webpage and check monthly, especially in spring, when many postings for summer have application deadlines. SPS webpage for Internships and Jobs for Teens

Any students desiring summertime Worksite Learning credit should pick up forms from Ms Wyn before June 16 and have them signed and returned by the last day of school, June 18. Students with jobs during the school year are always encouraged to apply, September-June.

Summer is a great time for Volunteering

(60 Service Hours are a graduation requirement)

If your student has some free time, encourage them to earn their hours over the summer (and vacation breaks). Seattle Public Schools requires proof of community service for graduation. Encourage your student to see it as 15 hours per year – and choose a group they’re interested in, as well as a location that’s easy to reach. Local foodbanks, Seattle Parks, even some youth-focused programs are great. Try the search on VolunteerMatch.org. Select interest, location, activity. Just don’t allow them to put it off. 60 hours can be daunting during 11th or 12th grade.

Seeking Lincoln Parent Mentor Volunteers

If you have the time, and a cool job/career, Lincoln’s College & Career team is making a list of potential volunteer mentors. In October, we’re planning a Career Fair. Details of the one-day event will come in September, but if you’d consider sharing your expertise and encouraging a young person to pursue a career you’ve enjoyed, let us know! We’d like to create a resource from parents/guardians who would also share their stories, network with students, offer workplace tours and job shadows, even your expertise at Exhibitions.

To sign up: Sign up to be a Lincoln Parent Mentor Volunteer