CWE

Cooperative Work Experience

Cooperative Work Experience (CWE) integrates a student’s academic and career interests into a meaningful work experience. Through this interaction, students are able to apply classroom instruction and professional behaviors to real life situations. The program faculty, CWE coordinators and training site supervisors work together with the student to develop an experience that will enhance the student's skills and expose them to authentic work conditions.

Students spend between three and thirty five hours per week, depending on their credit load, working at the training site to gain specific skills and a broad understanding of their chosen career field. They also begin to develop a network of professional contacts that might lead to full-time job opportunities after graduation.

While serving as a training site, employers have the opportunity to observe Chemeketa students in action. Employers can evaluate the students skill level and fit within the company, with no long term commitment, when determining future staffing needs. Many employers decide to hire their CWE student after the experience because they have proven to be a valuable member of the team.

If you want more information, explore the site links to learn about this exciting opportunity.

Questions? Send us an email, call 503.399.5029 or stop by Building 2, Room 115 on the Salem Campus.

Updated October 2006 by the College Advancement Department.