Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning at Evanston Township High School connects classroom lessons to real-world workplace experiences, helping students explore potential career paths, develop workplace skills, and make informed decisions about their futures. Work-Based Learning allows students to learn by experiencing the workplace firsthand, whether through internships, job shadowing, or other industry-related opportunities.
Through work-based learning, students can:
- Develop critical workplace skills, from communication and problem-solving to adaptability and professionalism.
- Expand their network by meeting and learning from industry experts and prospective employers.
- Gain hands-on experience and confidence that prepares them for employment after graduation.
- Begin to build their resumes and portfolios, demonstrating readiness for employment or further education after high school.
- Confirm or redefine their career goals by experiencing a workplace in the real world.
Types of Work-Based Learning
| Career Mentorship | Through a career mentorship, students are matched with a professional in a field of interest. The mentor guides and supports their exploration, offering insider knowledge, networking opportunities, and helpful advice for navigating future career decisions. |
| Internships |
Internships provide hands-on experience and training in a professional setting. Students work alongside industry experts, contribute to real-world projects, and apply their classroom knowledge in a workplace context. Internships may be paid or unpaid and can range from a few weeks to a semester or even a year. |
| Job Shadowing |
Job shadowing lets students observe and learn from a professional during their daily routines — without the responsibilities of delivering a product or service. This is a great way for students to explore a career path, see what a typical day looks like, and make more-informed decisions about their futures. |
| Practicum | Practicums provide a hands-on learning experience where students can put their classroom knowledge into practice in a real-world setting. This opportunity helps foster independence, adaptability, and readiness for future employment. |
| Service Learning | Service learning combines community service with academic learning. Through service-learning, students contribute to their community while developing valuable interpersonal and technical skills—a powerful way to grow both as a person and a professional. |
Partnership with The Trade Collective
ETHS is proud to partner with The Trade Collective, an Evanston-based nonprofit, to connect students with career pathways in the skilled trades. Through this partnership, students take part in hands-on demos, connect with industry professionals, and explore training programs and internships that can help turn their interests into rewarding, sustainable careers. Learn more about The Trade Collective by visiting thetradecollective.org.
Become an Industry Partner
ETHS collaborates with industry partners to provide powerful, real-world learning experiences for our students. Our partnerships range from hosting a short career exploration workshop or tour, to providing internship or job shadowing opportunities, or serving as a career mentor.
If your organization is interested in joining us in preparing the future workforce, please fill out our Industry Partner Interest Form. We look forward to exploring ideas and working together to make a meaningful, positive impact on our students’ futures.
Contact Information
Early College & Career Experiences
W220
Dale Leibforth
Director of Early College & Career Experiences
Phone: (847)424-7735
Email: leibforthd@eths202.org
Michelle Vazquez
Post-Secondary Counselor
Phone: (847)424-7163
Email: vazquezm@eths202.org