Work Experience Education

You’re invited to take part in an exciting opportunity that rewards you for working in your field! Through this program, you can earn college credit for your paid or unpaid job or internship hours in any program and turn your hands-on experience into recognized academic achievement. These credits can help you progress more quickly toward a Certificate, an associate’s degree, or even a bachelor’s degree.

How does it work?

The process is simple. Students who secure a job or internship, or are already working, in a field that closely relates to one of OCC’s programs qualify. Follow these three easy steps to turn your current job into Work Experience Education:

1. Sign up for an internship class at Orange Coast College that relates to your current position. Please contact the Career Center for questions about class selection.
2. Use the Coast Community College District WEE Portal to complete required forms, determine your learning objectives, and gain your faculty and employer agreements.
3. Complete your required hours and class requirements while working in your current position and earn college credit!

How many credits can I earn?

Students may earn 1 WEE credit for each 54 hours of work done in your field within the semester, up to a maximum of 4 units per semester. For example:

You can earn up to a total of 16 WEE units towards a degree or certificate throughout your time at OCC! 

*Note: Students must select the number of units and hours they will complete upon signing up for the course and cannot change during the semester.

How does this program benefit me?

As a student in Orange Coast College’s Work Experience Education (WEE) program, you will:

• Enhance your job skills and become a stronger candidate for promotions and career growth.
• Increase your supervisor’s awareness of your professional and academic goals.
• Apply new concepts and strategies gained from classroom instruction directly to your job.
• Earn college credit that moves you closer to completing a certificate or degree.

How does this program benefit my employer?

When employers support participation in OCC’s WEE program, they can:

• Reduce employee turnover by improving job satisfaction and engagement.
• Lower training expenses by utilizing WEE resources and support services.
• Strengthen communication and relationships with employees.
• Help meet employees’ personal and professional development goals through tailored performance objectives.
• Promote collaboration and the exchange of knowledge between industry and education.

Which OCC programs offer Work Experience Education?

Work Experience Education is available to all OCC students in any program via the OCC Internship Experience Class.

In addition, many individual programs offer their own work experience courses within individual programs or departments.  Below is a list of OCC Career Advantage programs, which are at the forefront of industry integration.

• Accounting
• Airline & Travel Careers
• Architectural Technology
• Athletics Coaching
• Aviation Maintenance Technology
• Aviation Science
• Business Administration
• Cardiovascular Technology
• Child Development and Education
• Commercial Art
• Computer Information Systems
• Construction Technology
• Culinary Arts
• Dance Instructor
• Dental Assisting - Registered
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Digital Media Arts and Design
• Electronics Technology 
• Emergency Medical Services
• Fashion
• Film & Television
• Fitness Specialist
• Food & Beverage Management
• Food Science
• Horticulture
• Hotel Management
• Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology
• Information Technology
• Interior Design
• Management
• Manufacturing Technology
• Marketing
• Medical Assisting
• Neurodiagnostic Technology
• Nutrition & Dietetics
• Photography
• Polysomnography Technology
• Professional Mariner
• Radiologic Technology
• Real Estate
• Respiratory Care
• Social Media Strategist
• Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
• Travel & Tourism
• Welding Technology
• Yoga Instructor Training 

Note: This list is not exhaustive, students may earn credits in any program for a job or internship in the field (e.g., a Political Science student may earn credits for a legislative internship).

For more information on how you can find a position to earn earn college credits on the job, please visit the  OCC Career Center or contact the OCC Career Center at (714) 432-5072.

For general information on Orange Coast College Career Education courses, click the following link: OCC Career Advantage.