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 should contact Lincoln’s Career-Connected Learning coordinator, Wyn Pottinger-Levy (wypottingerlev@seattleschools.org)

To complete the requirement, students 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

Summer is a great time for Volunteering

(60 Service Hours are a graduation requirement)

Summer is great time to earn service hours. Seattle Public Schools requires proof of community service for graduation. Students should try to split the hours up over their 4 years of high school choosing programs that match their interests and are easy to get to. Local food banks, Seattle Parks, even some youth-focused programs are great. See the Service Learning information posted on our counseling page.