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. **
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.
Career Learning Link Resources
- Career Learning Link Recorded Virtual Events
- Middle School Career Chats Recorded Virtual Events
- Online NICC College and Career Games for Students
Statewide Intermediary Resources
- Connection Lab: Digital Downloads of Statewide Events
- Connection Lab: Register for Upcoming Live Events
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 College Bound, and Healthcare.
Employer & Educator Forms and Resources
- Employer Work-based Learning Checklist
- WBL Liability Basics for Employers
- Iowa Work-based Learning Guide
- 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
Career Chats (Middle School Students)
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26, 9am & 1pm | Advanced Manufacturing Production Manager, DECO Products | Zoom | Middle School Students |
Upcoming Events
| Date | Event | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 23 | Let's Play Clue! Careers in Law Enforcement | Virtual | Students |
| Mar 24 | Careful Counsel: Careers in the Legal Field | Virtual | Students |
| Mar 29 - Apr 8 | Build Iowa Career Fairs in Different Cities in IA | Varies In Person | Students |
| Mar 31 | NICC/UIU Career Exploration Fair - 8th Graders | Virtual | Students |
| Apr 12 | NICC Career Services Virtual Healthcare Career Fair | Virtual | Students |
| Apr 21 | Designing Dreams: Interior Design Careers | Virtual | Students |
| Apr 21 | Masonry Open House - Marshalltown | Marshalltown | Students |
| Apr. 28 | Gundersen Exploratory Surgery Day | La Crosse, WI | Students |
| May 4 | Construction Career Day | U of W - Platteville | Platteville | Students |
| Jun 15-17 | Summer CTE Teacher Tours w/AEA | TBD | Teachers |
| July 18-22 | Business Horizons Innovation Simulation Program | Pella | Students |
| TBD | UNI Syndavar Lab Experience (Fall 2021) | 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