Welcome to the story exchange.

Examine profession-based learning through the stories of industry partners, educators and students who have collaborated. Watch our featured videos to learn more about what’s possible when industry and education collide — and students truly experience work.

Case Studies

FROM STUDENT ASSOCIATE TO FULL-TIME ENGINEER
“When you take business and education and put them together, there’s infinite opportunity.”
At Kryton, students don’t just learn the process – they put engineering into practice, tackling real projects. One student’s impressive work led to college funding and a full-time job on the Kryton engineering team, where he now mentors the next generation. Kryton has also invested further in their partnership with the local profession-based learning program, building learning spaces to host students on site. Watch this powerful video sharing the benefits of building a talent pipeline from education to industry.

LOCAL INVESTMENT, WIDESPREAD IMPACT

“I was so confident in what the students put together that I knew it was going to be a hit.”

As part of their workplace modernization project, Jack Henry tapped into the fresh perspectives of local students, treating them as valued consultants. From market research to design ideation, students took ownership of this real-world challenge – and were even flown on the company jet to pitch to the executive team. Hear more about how students added value to this project.

COFFEE CREATES CHANGE
“The students gave my son a voice.”
When John Musau and his son, Kyeni, needed help creating their coffee bean company, they turned to students in a profession-based learning program to design the brand. Unwired Coffee exists to benefit people with autism and provide fair prices to coffee farmers in Kenya, John’s home country. Students partnered with John and Kyeni, along with Bo Nelson of Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters, to create the brand logo, product packaging, marketing materials, a documentary and more. Watch the video to hear more about this multifaceted partnership.

Testimonials

CLINTON ROBINSON, BLACK & VEATCH

“What is the tenth thing on your to-do list?”
Black & Veatch has been a longtime champion of profession-based learning. They first described the tangible benefits to industry partners in this way — trusting high school students with the tenth item on your to-do list, since it’s likely not going to get accomplished otherwise. Watch to hear more.

FROM IDEA TO MANUFACTURING

Sensory Chair

SELF-DIRECTED STUDENTS

Mazuma Credit Union

EQUITY & ENGAGEMENT

American Student Assistance® (ASA)

PERSPECTIVE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY DOESN’T HAVE

Gangstagrass

BRINGING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO TODAY’S CHALLENGES

Corbion

NDAs, AIRPORTS & THE FUTURE

Black & Veatch

Explore More

INSIGHTS & ARTICLES

EDUCATOR RESOURCES

INDUSTRY RESOURCES

Explore more of what’s possible with profession-based learning.

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STUART JACKSON, PRESIDENT & CEO OF ANALYZEDIRECT/FOUNDER OF SENSORY CHAIR.

“This was a great experience for students to learn not only about engineering, but also about business.”

Stuart Jackson approached a profession-based learning program with a challenge: creating a device that could provide gentle pressure for children with sensory needs like his son. The students helped Stuart develop a new product, the Sensory Chair, which is now commercially produced and sold by the world’s leading occupational therapy manufacturer. Watch to hear more.

BRAD REIN, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER OF MAZUMA CREDIT UNION

“Doing real world work takes it to an entirely different level.”

Despite common misconceptions that young people might require too much hand-holding or direct supervision, students in profession-based learning programs are consistently proving this wrong. As Brad Rein describes, they are trusted to participate in tech team meetings and contribute real ideas. Watch for more details.

JING COX-ORRELL, PHILANTHROPY PROGRAM MANAGER AT AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE® (ASA)

“What are the skills you want young people to be learning?”

Profession-based learning helps fill an opportunity gap for many students, giving them real experience and access to explore various careers well before entering college or a career. It allows students to learn about their options in a hands-on environment with real mentorship. Watch to hear more about this topic.

GANGSTAGRASS, HIP HOP AND BLUEGRASS GROUP

“They did things that the music industry has not been able to do.”

Gangstagrass enlisted the help of multiple profession-based learning programs across the country to pitch creative ideas for marketing and digital strategy. They were so impressed by one group’s presentation and professionalism, they ended up working with them longterm on marketing efforts and social media.

JENNIFER LINDSEY, CORBION

“I am blown away by the prototypes kids come up with.”

Jennifer Lindsey is the Chief Marketing and Digital Officer/Head of Transformation at Corbion. She first got involved with a local Pro-BL program for future workforce development reasons, but soon realized students bring innovative solutions to today’s challenges.

CLINT ROBINSON, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR OF STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS OF BLACK & VEATCH

“We were building this airport for them, not for us.”

Black & Veatch gives profession-based learning students real projects, some of which even require an NDA. When they were working on a new airport in the Kansas City area, profession-based learning students offered their perspective and expertise for what should be included. Watch to hear more examples of how students have contributed.