A college education is more than earning a degree. It is also about gaining the experiences, skills, and connections that prepare students for their future careers. At College of Western Idaho (CWI), the Work-Based Learning Center helps make those connections by bringing together students, faculty, and employers to create opportunities that extend learning outside of the classroom.
More than a traditional career center, the Work-Based Learning Center serves as a central hub where education and industry connect. Through career exploration, internships, work-study, employer partnerships, and career readiness support, the center helps students gain real-world experience while supporting faculty and connecting employers with emerging talent.
Preparing Students for Success
Every student's career journey looks different. Some students begin college with a clear career goal, while others are still exploring the possibilities. The Work-Based Learning Center is designed to support students at every stage of that journey.
Staff work one-on-one with students to explore career pathways, develop professional resumes, prepare for interviews, identify internships and work-study opportunities, and connect with employers across a variety of industries. The center also helps students develop the professional skills that employers consistently seek, including communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving.
"The misconception sometimes is, 'If I do my schoolwork and get my degree, career opportunities will just come to me.' And that's just not often the reality,” said Work-Based Learning Center Coordinator, Kaden Christensen. "Our goal is to be that proactive partner for you, to meet you where you're at, whether you have it all figured out or you have no idea what you want to do."
Career support through the Center continues after graduation. CWI alumni can continue working with the center to access career coaching, connect with employers, and explore job and internship opportunities through Handshake.
Faculty Partnerships
The Work-Based Learning Center also works closely with faculty to strengthen the connection between classroom learning and workforce experience.
Faculty can partner with the center to coordinate internships and externships, schedule classroom presentations, connect with industry partners, and provide students with career readiness programming that complements academic instruction. The center also supports faculty by documenting internships, graduate outcomes, and employer partnerships through Handshake, providing valuable data that helps programs evaluate student success and workforce outcomes.
Rather than replacing relationships faculty have already built with employers, the Work-Based Learning Center works alongside academic programs to expand opportunities while providing additional support outside the classroom.
Connecting Employers
For employers, the Work-Based Learning Center offers a direct connection to students and graduates who are preparing to enter Idaho's workforce.
The center partners with organizations of all sizes to understand workforce needs and connect employers with students whose education, interests, and career goals align with available opportunities. Whether recruiting interns, hiring employees, participating in career fairs, or building long-term partnerships with academic programs, employers receive a personalized approach focused on finding the right talent.
By working closely with both employers and students, the Work-Based Learning Center helps create stronger matches while saving time throughout the hiring process.
"Our approach is personalized," Christensen said. "We want to understand what employers are looking for so we can connect them with students who are prepared to meet those needs."
Exposure and Opportunity
What sets the Work-Based Learning Center apart is its role as the connector between education and industry. Every partnership, internship, classroom presentation, career coaching appointment, and employer conversation is centered on creating opportunities that help students succeed.
“Exposure is the birthplace of opportunity,” Christensen said. “The Work-Based Learning Center helps students build confidence by practicing and doing and being proactive in their approach to the workforce. The more that we experience something or get exposed to something, the more confident we become.”
By encouraging students to gain experience early, supporting faculty in expanding experiential learning, and building strong relationships with employers, the Work-Based Learning Center helps make sure that education leads to impactful opportunities long after graduation.
"Knowing I needed an internship for my degree, I connected with the Work-Based Learning Center to explore the different paths I could take," said Criminal Justice student, Madison Miller. "The Work-Based Learning Center helped me make those connections, earn the credits I needed, and feel fully prepared for my internship.”
Whether supporting a student exploring career options, a faculty member developing industry partnerships, or an employer seeking skilled talent, the Work-Based Learning Center serves as a bridge between the classroom and the workforce.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit the Work-Based Learning Center online, email wblc@cwi.edu, or call 208.562.2562.
