Connecting Classroom Learning with Real-World Experience!
Work-Based Learning offers students college credit for applying program-related training to a job site. The goal is to connect classroom instruction with practical work-related challenges, enabling students to build career skills, apply academic knowledge, and develop professional habits under the supervision of professionals in their desired field.
About Co-op 288
Turn your education into experience! During the final year of your program, work with your LCC program faculty to sign up for COLL 289 or IT 294 (requisites for 288 designed to help you prepare the professional portfolio needed for pursuing a 288 (internship) opportunity).
Then, enroll in 288 to earn 1 college credit for every 33 hours you agree to work at a worksite in your field. Whether it’s a paid job, volunteer role, or a work study position, if it relates to your program of study, it may qualify!
Co-op 288: What's in it for me?
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Gain Real-World Experience
Internships provide hands-on experience in the workplace, helping you apply classroom knowledge to real-world tasks and challenges. -
Build Your Resume and Skills
Completing an internship strengthens your resume and helps you highlight both the technical and soft skills that employers value—like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. -
Expand Your Professional Network
Internships allow you to meet professionals in your field, make industry connections, and gain career insights. -
Clarify Career Goals
Internships help you explore different roles and industries so you can discover what you enjoy (or don’t), guiding your career decisions with more clarity.
How to Get Started
- Discuss your intent to take a 288 course with your Program Faculty and share your desired internship location.
- Complete required coursework prior to or with your 288 course.
- Find your desired worksite. Visit with Career Services if you need location ideas.
- Complete the Work-Based Learning Application.
- Your Program Faculty will contact you with information about your Learning Agreement.
About Internships (Co-Op 288)
Lower Columbia College offers a Cooperative Education class for second-year students, allowing them to gain real-world work experience while earning degree credit.
We invite your agency/business to consider becoming a training site for this program. If you offer work experience that aligns with our students' degree paths, this is a great opportunity to support student development.
Please note that participation does not guarantee student placement each quarter, as student enrollment varies. However, with an active affiliation agreement in place, your organization can be listed as a potential site. You retain the option to interview and decide whether to host a student each term.
What are the Benefits of Internships?
- Marketing: Internships enhance outreach and create brand loyalty as a natural result of building new connections
- Commitment to Education: Students pay to train in your field! Motivated, high-quality students want to work in the field they trained for. A quality workforce attracts top talent.
- Generate curiosity and interest in your field: Relevant training in your industry could spark word-of-mouth recommendations
- Low-risk evaluation of potential future employees
Requirements
- Employer Application: Please complete this brief application to initiate a partnership with Lower Columbia College.
- An affiliation (partnership) agreement with Lower Columbia College will be generated for your review. It must be completed in order to be eligible to work with student volunteers/interns.
- Ensure a safe and inclusive working environment in full compliance with applicable labor, safety, and anti-discrimination laws.
- Partner with LCC faculty to design experiential learning outcomes that enrich and complement student career success.
- Support/invite faculty site approval and observation visits twice during each term.
- Complete a formal evaluation of the Student’s performance at both the midpoint and end of the internship
Important Note: An affiliation agreement does not guarantee student availability and placement; however, we remain profoundly appreciative during periods when we are unable to provide student referrals.
Resources
- Student Evaluation
- Program Faculty Contact information (find your field representative)
About Co-Op 288
The Cooperative Education Program (also known as Work-based Learning) is a research-supported instructional approach that improves student motivation, employability, and deep learning by connecting curriculum to real-world practice. It does not replace academic rigor; it strengthens it through application and reflection. High-quality WBL supports equity, reduces disengagement, and provides authentic evidence of learning - while preserving faculty autonomy and professional judgment. WBL is effective, inclusive, and future-ready teaching.
Research shows that when students apply course concepts in real workplace settings—supported by structured reflection and clear assessment criteria—they develop a deeper understanding, stronger motivation, and better transfer of knowledge into coursework. Faculty retain control over curriculum, standards, and grading, while employers support skill practice and mentoring. WBL aligns with effective pedagogies that faculty already value, including experiential learning, authentic assessment, and constructivist approaches that make learning more meaningful without compromising academic rigor.
Faculty Overview
Order of operations:
- Discuss pre-requisite/co-requisite courses with your potential student intern (COLL 289 or IT/BUS 294). Students may be enrolled with faculty permission. Email jsmith or registration@lowercolumbia.edu
- Encourage students to complete the Work-Based Learning Application for Co-op 288 on the student tab. Applying a quarter early is recommended.
- 288 enrollment will proceed pending faculty approval of the work-site (authorization), determination of credit load, and requisite course completion or enrollment.
- Faculty will receive a confirmation email inviting them to complete a Learning Agreement with the student and Site Supervisor.
- Please Record Site Visits.
Please encourage your internship candidate to note the hours required for their credit load and the deadline for completion.