Work Experience
The Cooperative Work Experience Education (CWEE) program, coordinated through Student Employment Services, pairs students with host professionals from business, government, and non-profit work environments. Students are exposed to real-world experiences by participating in daily workplace activities and learning how to navigate within workplace cultures. Students earn college credit and acquire on-the-job skills while applying what they have learned in the classroom. Work Experience also helps students make effective career choices and develop lifetime career plans.
Types of Work Experience Programs
Occupational Work Experience
Occupational Work Experience courses are related to a student’s area of study and/or career pathway and offer hands on experiential instruction providing the necessary on the job skills to successfully enter the workforce upon graduation.
- Designed for students enrolled in a career-oriented discipline
- Supervised work experience is directly related to student's career goal and is an integral part of the student's major
General Work Experience
General Work Experience courses are intended to develop vocational and professional skills though hands on experiential instruction. General Work Experience need not be related to a student’s area of study or pathway (PD 290).
- For students who want to explore career and work experience opportunities
- Intent is to help students develop desirable work habits and career/workplace awareness
Student Benefits
- Receive college credit for on-the-job experiences (paid or unpaid)
- Add valuable on-the-job experience to resume
- Learn and improve employment skills under actual working conditions
- Apply classroom theory to real job experiences
- Develop a better understanding of core job functions in the selected industry
- Develop a better understanding of human relations in the workplace
- Network with professionals
CWEE Courses
- ADN 290
- ART 290
- AT 290
- BUS 290
- CIS 290
- CD 290
- EHMT 290
- ELEC 290
- FTMA 290
- FS 290
- LEGL 290
- PD 290 (General)
Eligibility Requirements
- Register for a Cooperative Education Work Experience (CWEE) class at the same time you register for other classes. Students may be accepted through the second week of the semester (first week for summer).
- Prior to first day of class you should secure an internship opportunity with an employer. If you would like assistance, contact Student Employment Services at ses@swccd.edu.
- You will be expected to complete the CWEE Agreement, Information and Visitation form and Timecard. (Fillable forms are available online). These forms are extremely important because they provide your instructor with your employment information, as well as, your course work for the semester.
Students may earn up to (4) units per semester and a maximum of sixteen units while attending SWC. The minimum hours must be completed during the semester or students will not earn a passing grade.
The number of credits earned depends on the number of internship hours worked. Most CWEE classes require a minimum of two credits. Refer to the table below:
Total Hours Worked Per Semester
| Paid | Unpaid | CWEE Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 75 hours | 60 hours | 1* |
| 150 hours | 120 hours | 2 |
| 225 hours | 180 hours | 3 |
| 300 hours | 240 hours | 4 |
* Please check with instructor if 1 unit is the minimum required unit to receive credit for the class.
CWEE Forms
- CWEE Student General Procedures (PDF)
- Cooperative Work Experience Courses (PDF)
- Learning Objectives Guide (PDF)
- CWEE Instructor General Procedure (PDF)
- CWEE Contract Agreement (Word)
- CWEE Internship Timesheet (Word)
- CWEE Information & Visitation Form (Word)
- CWEE / Career Education Stipend information (PDF)
Contact
Julie Swanson
Student Services Specialist
Student Employment Services
jswanson@swccd.edu
(619) 421-6700 ext.5715
(619) 482-6554 fax