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Work-Based Learning

NYS registered high quality Work-Based Learning program is an integral part of MECA's Career Technical Education (CTE) curriculum.

Available for all students 14+ years of age 

What is Work-Based Learning

New York Work-based learning is authentic learning experiences that allow students to explore their career goals, abilities, and interests while applying their academic and technical knowledge and skills in a real-world context. These experiences are planned and supervised by instructional staff in collaboration with business, industry, or community partners.

Career Discovery

Multiple career discovery and exploration events throughout the school year for all students

Workplace Challenge

Variety of hand-on intensive programs such as Character Design, Entrepreneurship, Digital Marketing, Computer Science, and more

Paid Internships

Summer Youth Employment (SYEP), Work Learn Grow, Industry Scholars Program, and more

Industry Competitions

Annual advertising competition call ReACT for all students in 9 and 10 grades

Skill Certifications

Adobe Photoshop Associate Certification, Digital Marketing Certification,  Google Skill Budges

Reasons to Join

MECA Work-Base Learning provides students with valuable skills and experiences and positions them advantageously for future educational and career opportunities.
  • Skill Development: Students gain practical skills that are directly applicable to the workforce, making them more competitive in job markets

  • Industry Exposure: WBL programs include partnerships with local businesses and organizations, providing students with real-world experience through internships and collaborative projects.

  • Certification Opportunities: Students can earn certifications that validate their skills and knowledge, which can be beneficial for college applications and job searches.

  • Career Readiness: The focus on career-oriented education helps students transition smoothly from high school to either higher education or the workforce.

  • Earn Money: Students can earn $16.50/Hour working part-time without jeopardizing academic achievements

Summer Youth Employment Program

The Summer Youth Employment Program provides young people with paid summer jobs and career exploration opportunities. By connecting them with local businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations.

Work, Learn, & Grow

WLG, or Work, Learn & Grow, is a program for NYC youth between the ages of 16 and 20. It is a paid 22-week-long opportunity to strengthen their work-readiness skills, explore careers and college, and potentially earn college credit. You must be an NYC resident, legally allowed to work, and enrolled in high school or a similar program.

Industry Scholars Program

The Industry Scholars Program (ISP) offers paid six-week internships for NYC high school students aged 16-18 in various industries, providing real-world work experience in Career and Technical Education (CTE) fields. CTE-ISP supports students in CTE programs with sector-specific work-based learning, training, and internships.

Workplace Challenge

A Workplace Challenge is a Career Preparation activity where small groups of 4-6 students work together to solve a real-world problem or challenge presented by an employer. This project-based learning approach focuses on authentic issues within a specific career pathway, allowing students to develop practical skills and connect their academic knowledge to workplace applications. 

 

Showcasing Our Success

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Internships

High-school students can participate in paid internships, earning professional experience worth over $8,000 and 600+ hours.

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Launch Your Creative Career with Paid Internships!

 

Get hands-on experience creating characters for cartoons, games, or movies through a paid Character Design internship.

Gain valuable experience in the tech industry with a paid WorkED or Cyber Tech internship.

Discover your passions through a paid SYEP (Summer Youth Employment Program) internship in a variety of fields.

Briana
Class of 2019, Intern at Tribal DDB

MECA internship opportunities helped me to learn core qualities that I'd need in a work place and skills that can be placed on my resume

Jordan
Class of 2020, Intern at Horizon Media

MECA CTE courses made me realize that the advertising industry is the career path I want to go into, and the partnership with 4A's has helped me further advance in advertising field with internship opportunities and competitions.

Ruby Morency
Class of 2025, Intern at Brand MECAnics @ HAVAS

MECA internships and career exploration events enabled me with set of valuable skills I am able to use in my professional journey. I know how to create Resume, I have a LinkedIn account, I've practiced personal pitch and job interviews. I feel confident and ready for college, career search, and the life after!

10 students from MECA participated in a BrandMECAnics Rebranding project, that 

Meet The WBL Team

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Carol Sun
Work Based Learning Coordinator 
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Julissa Figueroa
Youth Workforce Program Director
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