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 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
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 20, 10-10:30am | Advanced Manufacturing Panel - Howard/Chickasaw Counties | Zoom | Students |
| Oct 27, 1:30-2:00pm | Advanced Manufacturing Panel - Winneshiek County | Zoom | Students |
| Oct 30, 10:30-11:15am | Advanced Manufacturing Panel - Delaware County | Zoom | Students |
| Nov 6, 8:30-9:00am | Advanced Manufacturing Panel - Allamakee County | Zoom | Students |
Career Chats
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 9am & 1:00pm | Career Chats: Fun Fridays from the Field - Middle Schoolers | Zoom | Students |
| Nov 20, 9am & 1:00pm | Career Chats: Fun Fridays from the Field - Middle Schoolers | Zoom | Students |
| Dec 11, 9am & 1:00pm | Career Chats: Fun Fridays from the Field - Middle Schoolers | Zoom | Students |
Dubuque Area Virtual Events (open district-wide)
In partnership with Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council.
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 14, 10am | Job Shadow: Business Administration | Virtual | Students |
| Oct 20, 10am | Job Shadow: Sales | Virtual | Students |
| Oct 8, 6:30pm | Webinar: Advanced Manufacturing/Utilities | Virtual | Students |
| Oct 14, 6:30pm | Webinar: 1st Generation College Bound | Virtual | Students |
| Oct 20, 6:30pm | Webinar: Healthcare Careers | Virtual | Students |
Fall 2020
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 20 | Gundersen Exploratory Surgery Day - Postponed until spring | La Crosse, WI | Students |
| Oct. 28 | NICC Agriculture Career Fair | Calmar | Students |
| Nov. 5 | Psych Central: The Ins & Outs of Mental Health & Social Work | Zoom | Students |
| Nov. 10 | Just for the Health of It: Healthcare Careers | 10:30-11:00am | Online | Students |
| Nov 14-19 | Health Professionals Week - Explore Careers Confidently | Online | Students |
| Nov. 17 | Let's Get Fiscal: Finance & Accounting Careers | 10:30-11:00am | 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 |
| TBD | UNI Syndavar Lab Experience | Cedar Falls | Students |
| TBD | Culinary/Hospitality Event @ Casino Queen | Marquette | Students |
| TBD | Adam's Pet Hospital Visit Day | Asbury | Students |
| TBD | Bear Creek Archeology Experience | Cresco | 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 10-10:30am | Virtual | Students |
| Oct 22 | Cupcake Wars: Iowa Edition 10:00-10:30am | Virtual | Students |
| Oct 29 | Healthcare Worker Demonstration & Panel 1:30-2pm | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 4 | The Importance of Play in Student Learning and Development 1:30-2pm | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 5 | Ag Career Day 10-10:30am | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 11 | Agriculture NOW - 1:30-2pm | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 12 | Growth Opportunities Within Iowa Businesses 1:30-2pm | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 12 | Build My Future/Industrial Technology | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 19 | Helping Others: Counseling and Mental Health 10-10:30 | Virtual | Students |
| Nov 19 | Emerging Technologies/Information Technology | Virtual | Students |
Spring 2021
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fayette | Students |
| Apr 22 or 29 | NE Iowa STEM Festival | Luther College | Decorah | Students |
| Apr. 28 | Gundersen Exploratory Surgery Day | La Crosse, WI | Students |
| TBD | Anamosa State Penitentiary Career Experience | Anamosa | Students |
| May 4 | Construction Career Day | U of W, Platteville | 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