Northeast Iowa Career Learning Link
Northeast Iowa Career Learning Link (CLL) is a program that exposes students to high-demand career areas and sets them on the pathway to career and educational success beyond high school. The program provides work-based learning opportunities for students in partnership with local businesses.
NICC's Career Learning Link is a member of the Iowa Intermediary Network. Visit to learn more and follow us on social media!
** Due to COVID-19, on-site work-based learning is limited, but we have new virtual experiences. Let us know how we can help you. **
- Candid Career - View Short Career and Job Search Videos from Professionals
- Statewide Intermediary Fall 2020 Virtual Events | High school classes encouraged to participate
- Online NICC College and Career Games for Students
Benefits for Students and Educators
- Students (and parents!) save time and money by knowing the career path to follow after high school.
- Career coaches work with students to find the right post-graduation plan.
- Opportunities for job shadows, internships and career mentoring.
Benefits for Business Partners
- Recruit future workforce by connecting with schools and individual students.
- Provide professional development to teachers regarding careers in your industry through workshops and externships.
- Serve as a career mentor to a student interested in your field of work.
Forms and Resources
- Employer Work-based Learning Checklist
- Iowa Work-based Learning Guide
- Online NICC College and Career Games for Students
- Candid Career - View Short Career and Job Search Videos from Professionals
- High School Outreach Team
Department of Education - Sectors of Opportunity - Iowa Career Pathway Mapping Projects
- Opportunities in Advanced Manufacturing - Iowa Career Pathways
- Opportunities in Building Trades - Iowa Career Pathways
- Opportunities in Business & Financial Services
- Opportunities in Energy - Iowa Career Pathways
- Opportunities in Health Sciences - Iowa Career Pathways
- Opportunities in Information Technologies - Iowa Career Pathways
- Opportunities in Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics- Iowa
Department of Education - Industry Toolkits
- Health Science WBL Toolkit
- Manufacturing WBL Toolkit
- Transportation Distribution and Logistics (TDL) WBL Toolkit
Career Learning Link Upcoming Events
Advanced Manufacturing Panels
Information, Registration, & Past Event Links
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 20, 10-10:30am | Advanced Manufacturing Panel - Howard/Chickasaw Counties - Recorded Link | Zoom | Students |
| Oct 27, 1:30-2:00pm | Advanced Manufacturing Panel - Winneshiek County - Recorded Link | Zoom | Students |
| Oct 30, 10:30-11:15am | Advanced Manufacturing Panel - Delaware County - Recorded Link | Zoom | Students |
| Nov 6, 8:30-9:00am | Advanced Manufacturing Panel - Allamakee County - Recorded Link | Zoom | Students |
Career Chats (Middle School Students)
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 19, 9am & 1pm | Heather Caye Brown, Fashion Designer & Entrepreneur | Zoom | Middle School Students |
| Mar 26, 9am & 1pm | Advanced Manufacturing Production Manager, DECO Products | Zoom | Middle School Students |
| Multiple (Previous) | Career Chats: Fun Fridays from the Field - Middle Schoolers - Recorded Links | Zoom | Middle School Students |
Dubuque Area Virtual Events (open district-wide)
In partnership with Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council. Virtual recordings of job shadows in the fields of Marketing and Social Media, Business, Sales, Advanced Manuf, and 1st Generation Colledge Bound, and Healthcare
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple | Recorded Links | Virtual | Students |
Fall 2020
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 5 | Psych Central: The Ins & Outs of Mental Health & Social Work | Zoom | Students |
| Nov. 10 | Just for the Health of It: Healthcare Careers | Online | Students |
| Nov 14-19 | Health Professionals Week - Explore Careers Confidently | Online | Students |
| Nov. 17 | Let's Get Fiscal: Finance & Accounting Careers | Online | Students |
| Dec. 1 | Univ of Iowa Healthcare/STEM Virtual Live Webinar | 10:30-11:00am | Online | Students |
| Dec 2 or 9 | NICC Cresco Center & RHS Healthcare Careers Event | Cresco | Students |
| Dec. 10 | Tech Talks: Careers in Technology | 9:30-11:00am | Virtual | Zoom | Students |
Statewide Intermediary Fall 2020 Virtual Events | High School Classes
Visit website for more information or to register!
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 21 | Small Business Entrepreneurship Panel w/ABI - Recorded Link | Virtual | Students |
| Oct 22 | Cupcake Wars: Iowa Edition - Recorded Link | Virtual | Students |
| Oct 29 | Healthcare Worker Demonstration & Panel - Recorded Link | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 4 | The Importance of Play in Student Learning and Development - Recorded Link | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 5 | Ag Career Day - Recorded Link | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 11 | Agriculture NOW - Recorded Link | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 12 | Growth Opportunities Within Iowa Businesses - Recorded Link | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 12 | Build My Future/Industrial Technology - Recorded Link | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 17 | Iowa High School Tech Summit | 8am-1pm | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 19 | Helping Others: Counseling and Mental Health Recorded Link | Virtual | Students |
Spring Statewide Intermediary Virtual Events
Visit Website to learn more and to register!
| Jan 14 | Build University - Live Event - HVAC Pathway Panel | Virtual | Students |
| Jan 28 | Build University- Live Event - HVAC Worksite | Virtual | Students |
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|
Spring 2021
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reg until Mar 8 | CyberStart America Event Information for HS - Game and Scholarship Opportunity | Online | Students |
| Feb 9 | Green Talk: Renewable & Sustainable Energy Careers | Virtual | Students |
| Feb 16 | Animal Adventures: Careers in Animal Science | Virtual | Students |
| Feb Dates | New Hampton 8th Grade Career Week | Various | Students |
| Mar 9 | AEA Science Fair | Calmar Campus | Calmar | Students |
| Mar 11 | AEA Science Fair | Peosta Campus | Peosta | Students |
| Mar 31 | NICC/UIU Career Exploration Fair - 8th Graders | Virtual | Students |
| Apr 22 or 29 | NE Iowa STEM Festival | Luther College | Decorah | Students |
| Apr. 28 | Gundersen Exploratory Surgery Day | La Crosse, WI | Students |
| May 4 | Construction Career Day | U of W - Platteville | Platteville | Students |
| TBD | UNI Syndavar Lab Experience | Cedar Falls | Students |
| TBD | Counseling Psychology: The In's & Out's at Luther College Job Shadow and Visit | Decorah | Students |
| TBD | Anamosa State Penitentiary Career Experience | Anamosa | Students |
Testimonials
“At the day-long program at the Mayo Clinic, I performed six mock orthopedic surgeries and biomechanical engineering experiments. The Perry Outreach program and the Career Learning Link partnership allowed me to grasp a better understanding of what surgeons and engineers really do on a day-to-day basis.”
Isabelle Breitfelder
West Delaware High School graduate
“Winneshiek Medical Center has offered job shadows, tours, and experiential learning to students across the area for decades. Because experience is one of the key methods of learning used in health care, it was a natural fit to partner with the Career Learning Link to continue offering these experiences. Our collaboration with NICC Career Learning Link is important because it gives us the opportunity to connect with the bright and dedicated youth in the area who may one day become our employees.”
Elly Lensch, MLS
Winneshiek Medical Center Education Department
“My students began to see the benefits of the program right away through working with their career coach, going on job shadows and self-reflection. Participating in the Career Learning Link is for every student who wants to give their future a jump start.”
Jodi Ehlers, Business Teacher and School-to-Work Coordinator
Edgewood-Colesburg High School