Applying for WBL

Work-Based Learning (WBL) starts at the beginning of every semester – August, January and May. Because the program offers curriculum credit, planning is required. The earlier you start the application process, the more likely you will be to secure the position you want and start working in time to complete the required hours.

Find out if your program of study offers WBL classes as required courses or as electives:

• Review the list of approved programs with WBL options
• Review your program evaluation by logging in to Self-Service to find out if Work-Based Learning (Co-op) is listed. Look for "WBL."
• Contact the WBL director or your faculty advisor.

Follow these steps to apply to WBL:

1. Identify your areas of interest as they relate to the WBL experience and how they align with your program of study. Keep in mind that the purpose of the WBL experience is to gain insight into your career field, put into practice skills that you've acquired in your classes, gain practical work experience to put on your resume, make connections to professionals in your field and affirm that this aligns with your career aspirations.
   Some students need to take additional action:

   —  If a student has a disability, he or she should visit the Disability Support Services Office when they submit an application to obtain assistance with any necessary accommodations.

   —  If a student is an international student, he or she will need to meet with the International Students Office to obtain permission before beginning the application process. U.S. law requires employers to verify the legal work eligibility of all new employees within three days of employment. If you are here on any visa other than a work visa, you should meet with International Students Office staff to discuss if you may be able to obtain permission.

2. Complete the Work-Based Learning Application by the deadline for the semester you plan to begin:

   —  July 1 for Fall semester

   —  November 1 for Spring semester

   — April 1 for Summer term

   NOTE: Some departments have earlier application deadlines. Email Work-Based Learning Director Kathy Frederick at [email protected] if you cannot meet deadlines because of extenuating circumstances.

3. Meet with your faculty coordinator to clarify your goals and expectations of the WBL experience and discuss the optimal semester for you to participate. You will learn about the documents that you must submit prior to registering for your WBL course.
4. Start your job search. While we cannot guarantee employment to any student seeking a WBL experience, we offer resources and guidance for your job search.

5. Work with Career Services to create or update your resume and learn how to write a cover letter. Take advantage of practice interviews as well to help you present your best image when you meet with someone at a potential work site. Staff can also assist you with how to follow up after you have submitted your resume and how to send a thank you note after you've been interviewed.

   Wake Tech students also have access to an online job board through Handshake.

6. Once you have selected the sites that best align with your areas of interest, submit your resume to them. This needs to be done within the time frame recommended by your faculty coordinator.

   Be sure to keep a record of places where you have sent your resume that include the dates you submitted it – along with a cover letter – whom you sent it to and what type of response you received. Be sure to copy your faculty coordinator on the correspondences that you have with potential work sites. If you have submitted your resume and cover letter to an organization and more than five business days pass without a response, you might need to follow up with a phone call to the organization to verify that it was received.

   Generally speaking, it is a good idea to consider more than one work site for your WBL experience and apply as early as possible.

7. Once you have been offered and accept placement for your WBL experience, notify your faculty coordinator. There are two additional WBL forms that must be completed by you and your supervisor at your WBL site (Form 1275 and Form 1564). You should work with your faculty coordinator to obtain assistance in writing your Measurable Learning Objectives for Form 1275.
8. Submit your completed and signed Form 1275 and Form 1564 to your faculty coordinator. Your faculty coordinator will then give you an override to register for your WBL course.
9. Register, pay and complete the Course Entry Quiz for your WBL course by the deadline to avoid being dropped. Check in with your supervisor at your work site about your first day to ensure that you know the correct time to arrive, proper attire to wear and any other items that must be completed prior to the start of the WBL experience.
10. If anything changes with your WBL site or your ability to participate in the program, immediately notify your faculty coordinator.