Students / FAQs

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Work Experience Education Courses

What is the Work Experience Education (WEE) program?
WEE is available for students to earn college credit for an internship or job through Work Experience (WE) courses.

What types of WE courses are available?
There are two types of WE courses: WE-186 and WE -189

What is WE-186 and who should enroll in this course?
WE-186 provides students with the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills gained in their college courses or career exploration in an actual work setting.

The WE-186 course is available for:

Students participating in a paid or unpaid internship and are enrolled in a program of study that requires the WE course to complete or a student enrolled in a program that offers the WE course as an elective. Check the WE Courses page to review the list of Career Education (CE) programs requiring or recommending WE.

OR

Students already employed in their field of study and are required to enroll in a WE-186 course for completion of their certificate or degree. This means students would earn internship credit for a job that is related to their major.

What is WE-189 and who should enroll in this course?
WE-189 General Work Experience provides students with the opportunity to develop desirable work habits, attitudes and career awareness as well as potentially apply knowledge and skills gained in the area of study from college courses or career exploration in an actual work setting.

The WE-189 course is available for:

Students that want to use their current paid job that is unrelated to their major to earn college credit.

OR

Students participating in a paid or unpaid internship that does not relate to one of the CE work experience courses (WE-186) listed on the WE Courses.

What if my program says I need to enroll in a CWE-186 or CWE-188 course?
If you started your program of study prior to the 2024-2025 academic year, your program may require or recommend you enroll in a CWE-186 or CWE-188 course. Good news! The WE-186 course is the equivalent to CWE-186 or CWE-188 course. The WE-186 course will be used in place of CWE-186 or CWE-188 moving forward. For more information and clarification, you may want to consult a COC counselor.

How many units can I enroll in for a WE course?
Students may enroll in 1-4 units for a WE course. Students must ensure that they complete 54 hours at their job or internship for each unit enrolled over the duration of the semester. Refer to the chart below for hours required.

Units	Hours Required
1	54 hours
2	108 hours
3	162 hours
4	216 hours

What is required of the student when enrolled in WE?
Students enrolled in a WE course must attend a one-time, two-hour class meeting at the beginning of the term. Students must submit assignments and a WE Timesheet through Canvas by the deadlines indicated in the course syllabus. WE classes are primarily independent study. Check the schedule of classes for the date/time/location of the WE class.

What is required of my employer when I am enrolled in WE?
Employers will be required to do the following:

Consult with a WE faculty advisor to discuss a workplace project for the student.
Sign off and approve the students’ workplace project.
Sign timesheets verifying the number of hours a student has worked and provide feedback on the completion of the students’ workplace project.

Can WE be taken more than once?
Yes, there is unlimited repeatability for enrollment in WE at COC.

Can I enroll in more than one section of WE?
Typically, students may enroll in one WE section per semester. However, if a student has an opportunity to participate in two internships in a specific term, they should contact the Internship Office to see it is possible to enroll in more than one section of WE.

Are WE units transferable?
WE-186 and WE-189 courses transfer to the CSU system as elective units. However, you should consult with an academic counselor for potential unit limitations.

How do I enroll in WE?
Students must complete an online orientation and multiple forms in order to receive permission to enroll in a WE course. Visit the WEE Registration page for more information on the steps for enrollment in WE.

What takes place during the Work Experience Online Orientation?
The Work Experience Online Orientation video will explain WE course policies that are required by the California Education Code. Students are made fully aware of the steps required to complete in order to receive permission to enroll in WE. The video also briefly discusses class assignment requirements.

What is an internship?
Internships are cooperative activities in which students learn while on-the-job. An internship involves completing a set of work tasks to earn college credit and gain insight into a career. Internships may be paid or non-paid. An internship allows you to make informed decisions about your career and enables you to change career goals prior to graduation if the present career track doesn't measure up to your expectations. In addition to the experience an internship provides, you may gain valuable business contacts and references for use in future job or internship searches. Students who complete an internship often do significantly better in both salary and opportunity with real work experience behind them.

Who is eligible to become an intern?
All College of the Canyons (COC) students are eligible to become an intern. Students must be in good academic standing to apply to internships on our job & internship database, Jobspeaker. They must also be over the age of 18 and/or a high school graduate. Hart High School District juniors and seniors may enroll in the Work Experience (WE) course at College of the Canyons (COC) based on a recommendation from their high school counselor and the Hart District Career & College Readiness Department.

What are the requirements for participating in an internship?
Once a student secures an internship, they must enroll in the appropriate Work Experience (WE) course prior to the start of the internship.

How do I find an internship?
Students may search and apply online for internships through Jobspeaker or they may also research and apply to internships on their own through other sources. Consider searching the Internet for specific company names and locating a link to an internship page or networking with current professors & local businesses to find an internship related to your area of study or career interest. It is the students’ responsibility to secure an internship.

Students may also make an appointment with a COC Employment Center Job Developer for assistance with their internship search.

How do I apply for internships through Jobspeaker?
A resume is required to apply for all internships on Jobspeaker. Upload your resume BEFORE applying, select "apply" and wait for the employer to contact you. Need help crafting a resume? Make an appointment with an Employment Center Job Developer for assistance with your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, interview prep and more.

The employer will contact your directly for interview arrangements. Make sure you watch for communication from the employer by monitoring your email and voicemail.

Can I get credit for an internship that I've already done?
No, you may only receive credit for an internship that you are actively working.

Can I complete more than one internship in a semester?
Typically, students are limited to one internship per a semester. However, check with the Internship Office to see if this option is available.

Are there deadlines to apply for an internship?
Applications deadlines vary for each internship. Check the source you are using to apply for an internship to verify deadlines. Keep in mind, students must secure an internship prior to the WE class meeting for the term they plan to participate.

Are internships paid or unpaid?
Internships can be either paid or unpaid.

Are internships full-time or part-time?
Typically, internships are part-time.

How long do internships last?
The duration of an internship is determined by the employer and the student, but will generally last the entire duration of the semester. Check a specific internship listing for details.

Can I continue to participate in the internship after the semester is over?
If the internship is unpaid, then your employer will require you to be enrolled in a WE course to receive workers compensation coverage. In order to continue participating in an unpaid internship beyond the last day of the current term, you must register in a WE course for the next available semester.

Are there special guidelines for International Students to participate in an internship?
Yes, for more information on this topic, International Students should contact the ISP Office to determine their eligibility. The Internships staff will consult with the International Students department to confirm eligibility based on VISA guidelines.

Can I change jobs or internships during the semester?
If this situation arises, it is important to inform your faculty advisor immediately to discuss options. Each situation is unique and must be considered by the faculty based on the individual's circumstances.

Do interns attend classes?
Yes. They enroll in and attend a one mandatory WE class meeting at the beginning of the term.

Does the Internship Office find a job or internship for me?
No. The Internship Office provides resources for students to apply to internships and receive credit for either a job or internship. It is the students’ responsibility to secure a job or internship.

Can I earn credit for an in-person internship located out of state?
No. We cannot accommodate college credit for an in-person internship that is located outside of California.

Can I earn credit for an internship with an employer located out of the country?
No. We cannot accommodate credit for any internships where the employer is located out of the country.