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Work Experience

Did you know you can get college credits for working?

The following information is for all students interested in earning credit for working:

  • There are several general and career track sections available to students working in their career fields.  
  • The sections available to you are based on your career field, the number of hours you are working per week, full-term or shorter term WEXP classes. 

There are NO WEEKLY CLASSES to attend. However, there are some requirements each WEXP student must meet.

All internships need to be approved by an internship coordinator prior to the beginning of classes. Please contact workexp@cuesta.edu if you are looking for a Work Experience class in your major/area of study.

To find WEXP courses that are currently available, visit our Search for Classes webpage. 

  • Students in specific internships should register in the courses related to that specific career or technical field.
  • Students in business-specific internships can register in the BUS 253 course.
  • If your job is related to a major that is not listed in Class Finder in a specific discipline, register for WEXP 262.

For any additional questions regarding WEXP courses, email workexp@cuesta.edu. 

If you are currently looking for an internship to couple with a work experience course, you can access your free JobSpeaker account to view available opportunities by searching "Internship" or "Work Experience". 

There are two different WEXP courses- General  WEXP 251 and Occupational WEXP 252 (for jobs related to your major/ career pathway).  Several sections (CRNs) are available for each WEXP course. The section you choose will depend on: If you are taking general or occupational work experience, how many hours you are working per week, and if you want to participate in the full-term or late-start WEXP class. 

There are NO WEEKLY CLASSES to attend.

  • Students in auto-specific internships register in the ATCH 252 course.
  • Students in business-specific internships register in the BUS 253 course.
  • If your job is related to a major that is not listed in Class Finder in a specific discipline, register for WEXP 262.
  • If your job is related to a major that is not listed above please contact Work Experience.

Important Information

There are some responsibilities on the part of the student to ensure that you earn your credits.

Requirements:

  1. You must be able to access and use Cuesta's Canvas online courseware system.
    • All class information, assignments, forms, and due dates are found on Canvas.
    • From the first week of class, you will need to access this system.
  2. You must complete all required forms for this program. Your failure to do so by the deadlines could result in your being dropped from the class. Please monitor this carefully.
  3. You will be working with your employer and Cuesta faculty advisor to establish three SMART learning objectives for the course.
    • The learning objectives will be developed "cooperatively" and will be used to help improve your skills over the course of the term.
    • You will be graded in your ability to develop these objectives and successfully achieve them.
    • The completion of your objectives will be assessed by your employer/supervisor as well as your Cuesta faculty advisor.
  4. There is a required "job site visit."
    • You will meet with your Cuesta faculty advisor and your employer/supervisor early in the course to ensure that everyone understands the requirements of the course/establish your learning objectives.
  5. Your supervisor will be asked to evaluate you twice during the term.
    • Once during a "mid-term" check.
    • Again at the end of the term with a final evaluation of your ability to meet your objectives/certify the time that you worked during the term.
  6. You will be asked to complete a reflective essay at the end of the term.
    • You will discuss:
      • Your learning objectives.
      • What you accomplished.
      • How this experience can enhance your future career as well as your personal and professional skill sets.
  7. You will also be assessed in your professional competencies, which include: but are not limited to:

Organizational skills

  • Your responsiveness to messages and communications from your advisor.
  • Your ability to meet deadlines, and time management.
  • The quality of the work you put into completing forms and the final essay.
  • Your professionalism and personal responsibility.