FAQ’s for Business and Industry Partners
School to Careers Program
If you have further questions after reading these FAQs, please do not hesitate to contact the School to Careers Coordinator. (Contact info can be found at the bottom of this page.)
FAQs for Mentorships, Job Shadows, Work Experience, and Internships
Q: Who will be placed in my business for a work placement? Do I get a choice? Do I need to conduct interviews?
A: The School to Career Coordinator will connect you with a student who has expressed interest in the opportunity that you are providing. The Coordinator completes initial screening and basic career skills training for all students in the program. You will have the ultimate choice as to who you host in your business and you may conduct further screening or interviews as desired.
Q: When will I host students? For how long?
A: There is no set start/end time or duration length for a placement. You will work with the Coordinator to create a schedule that works for you and your needs. Placements can involve a few hours or up to a few months or more. In general, placements will take place outside of the regular school day (before/after school or on the weekends/holidays). There may be an opportunity for some longer-term internships to have students utilize part of their school schedule to complete a placement.
Q: What will students be doing in a placement? How will they know what to do when they get here? Do I need to teach them?
A: There is no set requirement for what a student should do during a placement. Together with the Coordinator, you will design the placement to best utilize and grow the student’s skills to create a meaningful experience for everyone involved. You (or a designated supervisor) will assist the student in developing specific skills required for their duties.
Q: Are students required to be a certain age to participate in the program? Can I stipulate an age limit?
A: The program is open to high school students of any grade at Pendleton High School, Hawthorne Alternative School, or Nixyaawii Community School, though you may stipulate an age or grade limit if you desire.
Q: What kind of training will students get prior to a placement?
A: Students involved in the program will complete Career Skills Training prior to any placement. This training will cover, among other topics, basic workplace expectations and etiquette, communication skills, and the importance of a drug-free workplace.
Q: Am I required to pay students for their work experience?
A: Student placements do not need to be paid positions, though you may choose to create a paid internship position if desired. The U.S. Department of Labor has guidelines to help distinguish what constitutes a paid and unpaid internship position. The Coordinator can assist you in reviewing the guidelines with regards to your specific situation. When a student is determined to be a paid intern, employment related laws apply. These include workers´ compensation, wage and hour (including child labor), civil rights, OSHA, and unemployment insurance, as well as any other laws that govern the relationship between the employer and employee. For purposes of wage and hour law, a minor is an employee under the age of 18. View more information about employing a minor: Interns FAQ’s and Apprentices FAQ’s. Again, the Coordinator can help you locate and determine which, if any, regulations apply for the placement that you are providing.
Q: Do I have to supervise students directly and at all times?
A: Not necessarily. You can designate a qualified employee in your business to be the student’s direct placement supervisor. In general, it is best practice to have someone (yourself or another employee) readily available to support students during the hours of their placement.
Q: In what fields/careers do you place students?
A: The program is interested in offering career-related learning experiences in any field where students have expressed interest. The program will have an initial focus of placing students in fields that complement CTE programs of study at the high school, namely Hospitality and Tourism Management and Industrial and Engineering Systems.
Q: Do students get credit for completing a career-related learning experience?
A: Students can earn an hour-based elective credit. In some cases, students may also be able to earn a standards-based CTE credit.
Q: What sort of paperwork/contract do I need to complete to participate in the program?
A: For most placements, you will be asked to sign an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that will describe the details of the learning experience and lay out the expectations for those involved.
Q: What is involved in the “Partner Overview?”
A: The Coordinator will arrange for you to get all the information you need to participate in the program, including support in completing the planning process and MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) for a successful career-related learning experience. This can occur at a one-on-one meeting or at an event in a social setting with other colleagues in the business community who are participating.
Q: What is involved in the evaluation process?
A: One of the most important parts of a career-related learning experience is students’ reflection on their placements and feedback that they will receive from their supervisors. We want to hear from you! You can complete a short evaluation and/or meet with the coordinator to discuss the program or students involved.
Q: Do I have to provide transportation for students to my place of business?
A: No, in general, it is the responsibility of the student to arrange transportation to a placement.
Q: Does a parent/guardian need to sign to allow their child to participate in the program?
A: Yes, a parent/guardian must sign a student’s application to the program and be aware of the student’s responsibilities and commitments.
Q: What do I do if I have concerns about a student that I am supervising/hosting? Can I “fire” someone in the program?
A: You can contact the Coordinator at any time if you have concerns about any student placed with you and we will work to find a solution. Students must abide by not only their school’s Code of Conduct but any additional expectations that you have communicated. If you feel that the student is not fulfilling these requirements, you are free to terminate a placement at any time.
Q: How will my business and I be recognized?
A: Our program would not exist without the participation of our Business and Industry Partners and we will explicitly recognize your efforts at various points throughout the year and in different media (print, online, etc.).
FAQs for Guest Instructor / Speaker and Worksite Tours
Q: Is there a set curriculum or lesson plan that I will need to follow if I’m a guest instructor or if I’m giving a tour at my worksite? What should I cover?
A: You will not be given a set lesson plan to follow, though the Coordinator and/or teacher can help you design a lesson, presentation, or tour to best share your knowledge and skillset while also addressing any necessary curriculum standards.
Q: I’ve never been a teacher, can I still come in to present to a class or have students come to my worksite?
A: Yes! Your specific knowledge and skills are invaluable to students. If you’d like, the Coordinator will support you with some strategies for delivering a presentation in a classroom setting.
Q: Do I need to complete a background check or volunteer application to give a presentation or work with students at the school?
A: If you are giving a presentation to a class, you will not need to complete any additional paperwork. If you are working with students for a longer period of time on a project or other assignment, you may be asked to complete a short background check.
Q: Can I set a limit for the number of students that can be on a worksite tour?
A: Yes. You can let the Coordinator know how many students you can accommodate.
Q: Will a teacher or chaperone be present with students on the tour?
A: In most cases, a teacher or chaperone will accompany students on a worksite tour (particularly if it takes place during the school day).
Q: When will I give the presentation/tour? How long will it be?
A: In general, classroom presentations will take place during school hours. Depending on the content of your presentation and the needs of the class, you can come for one or more class periods in a day (~45 minutes each), or for a series of classes over a week or month. Tours can be arranged during school hours (as a field trip for a class), or at other times that fit with your schedule. Tours will generally last 1-2 hours total.
Q: Will I be paid for my time as a guest instructor or for a tour of my worksite?
A: We are not able to offer any financial compensation for this opportunity.
Q: How will my business and I be recognized?
A: Our program would not exist without the participation of our Business and Industry Partners and we will explicitly recognize your efforts at various points throughout the year and in different media (print, online, etc.).
For more information contact:
Patti Hyatt
School to Careers Coordinator
(509) 833-0685
Email
Pendleton Chamber of Commerce
Email