• GETTING STARTED-

• STAYING INVOLVED-

• CONCLUDING THE SEMESTER-

Getting Started:

1. Enroll in either CED 50, CED 195 or one of the Occupational 196 courses (see below for explanations). You can find course section numbers here. Generally speaking, you are better off enrolling in one of the Occupational 196 courses, if possible. If you are enrolling after the end of the 2nd week of classes (spring or fall semester census date) you will need an "add" card signed by a CWE instructor in either Lakeport, Willits or Ukiah. Click here for enrollment information.

2. Sign Up for an Orientation.  In the Fall or Spring semesters, refer to the schedule for Ukiah, Lake, or Willits. In the Summer, refer to the Summer Schedule. If you wish to enroll after the last scheduled orientation meeting, contact the CWE office for an alternate orientation meeting.

3. Read the CWE syllabus and print a copy of the Assignment Tracking Worksheet.

4. Set Up an email account, if you don't already have one. You can create a free student email account. Just follow the simple directions. 

5. Complete the CWE Application and have your supervisor sign it before submitting it to the CWE office.This should be completed within 2 days after your Orientation.

6. Read the instructions for creating CWE Learning Objectives and review the Sample Objectives.

7. Meet with your job supervisor to discuss your personalized Learning Objectives.

8. Draft your Learning Objectives (1 for each unit of CWE you are attempting) as a text document (Word or Works) so that you can save your drafts in order to easily revise them, if necessary. Use spell-check!

9. Submit drafts of your objectives using the online Learning Objectives form. Copy from your text document and paste the information in the text fields of the online form. When you complete the form and click on "continue" an electronic version will be automatically forwarded to your instructor for review. Your instructor will then email you with feedback.

10. Respond to your instructor's feedback by making any necessary changes in your draft Learning Objectives. Resubmit your revised objectives by using the online Learning Objectives form. Once you receive approval, you will print your objectives and then sign them and have your supervisor sign them before turning them in to your instructor. You can fax a copy to your instructor and then mail or drop off the original at the appropriate campus. If your job is in Ukiah or Willits, your instructor is Dan Jenkins (djenkins@mendocino.edu).  if you are working in Lakeport Liz Weiss is your instructor (eweiss@mendocino.edu). If you don't have access to a computer, call Dan (707-468-3047) or Liz (707-468-3000 ext. 4004) to set up an appointment. 

Staying Involved:

1. Keep track of your hours using the Time Sheet. By the 5th day of the month, submit a Time Sheet for the previous month’s hours, signed by your supervisor, to your CWE instructor.

2. Stay on top of your learning objectives. Be sure to keep a record of the resources you use as part of your “learning process”, including the people helping you learn (who trained you; who you observed; who observed you and provided you with feedback). Keep a list of your other learning resources, such as books or videos you reviewed, trainings you attended, etc.

3. Work on your Project if you are enrolled in CED 50 or CED 195 (“General Work Experience”).

4. Keep your supervisor informed of your progress or need for further assistance to achieve your learning objective.

5. Communicate with your instructor if you have any problems with or need for changes in your learning objectives. Remember that any significant change in your learning objective will require the approval of your instructor.

 Concluding Your Semester:

1. Submit a Time Sheet for any remaining hours.

2. Complete your Self-Evaluation. Be sure to include any documentation of resources used.

3. Submit your completed Project if you are enrolled in CED 50 or CED 195 (“General Work Experience”).

4. Remind your supervisor to complete his or her Employer Evaluation of you.

5. Check the website for your grade after the last day of the semester.

There are several options for CWE Education:

Occupational Work Experience (196)

Occupational Work Experience Education allows students to earn college credit on-the-job by learning or improving knowledge or skills related to one of the college's occupational disciplines. In effect, this allows the student to practice classroom-based occupational learning in a job related to a potential educational or occupational goal. Occupational Work Experience courses can be found under 25 different occupational disciplines, from Administration of Justice (ADJ 196) to Welding (WLD 196).

The student's work must be related to the 196 course (e.g., if enrolled in Business (BUS) 196, a student must be working in a business setting, and his or her objectives will be business-related). The objectives students create for themselves need to be "college level". Students can earn from 1-8 units, and up to 16 units can be applied to the Associate Degree and transferred to most CSUs. Disciplines with Occupational CWE courses are: ADJ, AER, AGR, AOD, ART, AUT, BOT, BUS, CAM, CDV, CLO, CSC, EDU, ELT, EGR, FOR, FSC, HLH, HUS, MUS, NRS, RLS, SPN, THE, and WLD

CED 195: General Work Experience

General Work Experience Education allows students to earn college credit on-the-job by learning or improving general work knowledge or skills. CED 195 is intended to assist students in acquiring desirable work habits, attitudes and career awareness. The work experience need not be related to a student's career goals or any specific vocational program or major offered by the college. Any type of work, paid or volunteer, is appropriate. The objectives students set for themselves need to be "college level". Students can enroll in 1-3 units, for a maximum of 6 units. These units can be applied to the Associate Degree and transferred to most CSUs.

CED 50: Intro to Work Experience

This is a lower level General Work Experience. Units earned are applicable to the Associate Degree but are not designed to transfer to a 4-year college. Students can enroll in 1/2 unit increments up to 3 units, for a total of 6 units . The objectives students set for themselves need to be "college level" but are not required to be as challenging as the ones in the other CWE courses. "General" Work Experience does not have to be related to any particular vocational program or major offered by the college. Any type of work, paid or volunteer, is appropriate.

Definition of "College-level"

Objectives must be challenging, just as you would expect in a college course. "College-level" learning means:

• Taking ideas or concepts you’ve learning in the classroom and applying them to the work place. This may mean taking principles of good customer service, for example, and applying them at work by improving the manner in which you interact with customers
• Examining the work you are doing by thinking critically about how you accomplish certain tasks, how you might do them differently, and whether the way you complete the tasks results in the outcomes you desire
• Working independently in completing complex assignments that require planning, organizing and implementing new tasks, skills or behaviors
• Demonstrating skills you’ve learning in the classroom, like creating a spreadsheet or leading a group counseling session, and doing it in a professional manner with appropriate conduct and vocabulary.

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Work Experience Benefits for Student

• Earn money while learning.
• Earn units that apply to higher degrees.
• Learn or improve employment skills under actual working conditions.
• Clarify career goals by applying classroom theory to actual business practice.
• Build self-identity and confidence as a worker through individual attention given by the instructor and employers.
• Test personal abilities in work environments.
• Use this experience to build your resume.

For more information

Contact the Work Experience Office at 468-3047

or email Dan Jenkins at djenkins@mendocino.edu

You can also visit Dan Jenkins' web page.

Created: January 24, 2006 @ 11:55 AM
Last Modified: August 20, 2008 @ 10:31 AM