Work-Based Learning in Milwaukee Public Schools

It’s 9 AM—the dog’s fed, emails are cleared, and the coffee’s kicking in. A solid start to the workday. Today, I’m stepping into my role as an intermediary onsite support specialist, heading out to Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) to host a Work-Based Learning (WBL) Career Awareness Event at Bay View High School. But before we dive into the event, let’s explore how GPS Education Partners helps students navigate career pathways through internships, youth apprenticeships, and industry connections.

Connecting Students to Career Pathways Through Work-Based Learning

At GPS Ed, our mission is to open doors for high school students, guiding them toward career readiness through meaningful work-based learning experiences. Partnering with four MPS high schools, we provide structured programming that supports students on their WBL journey—from guest speaker events and career fairs to job shadows, internships, and youth apprenticeships. Our goal? To help students explore career pathways, spark curiosity, and connect with real-world industry opportunities. We collaborate closely with each school’s College and Career Center (CACC) to build an annual roadmap, ensuring students receive impactful exposure to careers. My favorite piece of advice during these events? “It’s just as valuable to learn what you don’t want to do as it is to discover what you do.” Firsthand experience is key to shaping career decisions.

Hands-On Experiences: Internships, Youth Apprenticeships & More

With that in mind, I head to Bay View High School to meet today’s guest speaker, Mike—a General Manager at a well-known southeastern Wisconsin restaurant. He’s here to engage students in the Culinary Arts Career Pathway by sharing his professional journey. We kick things off in the school’s state-of-the-art Culinary Lab, the perfect setting for this interactive career awareness session. But this isn’t a passive “sit and listen” talk—it’s an open conversation. As Mike describes the essential skills needed in the culinary world, an unexpected but crucial one emerges—math. From scaling recipes to budgeting ingredients and planning meals for large crowds, math is an everyday necessity in the kitchen. Watching students’ reactions shift from surprise to realization is exactly why these WBL events matter. Those “lightbulb moments” show just how impactful career exploration can be.

Transforming Awareness into Career Readiness

As the session wraps up, I’m already thinking ahead. In a couple of weeks, we’ll return to Bay View High School with Outpost Natural Foods to discuss job opportunities—transforming career awareness into actionable next steps. Thanks to the exit tickets students filled out, I now have a list of those most interested in Mike’s presentation—students who may be eager to take the next step toward internships, youth apprenticeships, or other hands-on learning experiences. These follow-up connections bridge the gap between curiosity and real-world career readiness.

What’s Next? Expanding Opportunities for Students

With the event concluded, I shift gears. Next up? A virtual meeting to coordinate another school’s WBL programming, followed by a site visit to a local Generac facility to check in with my youth apprentices on the job. It’s a full day, but every stop serves our larger mission: helping students explore career pathways, gain experience, and prepare for success beyond high school.

As a former art educator, I loved making an impact in my classroom. Now, as a Work-Based Learning Specialist, my reach extends across Wisconsin, Minnesota, California, and beyond, helping students build their futures one experience at a time. That’s the heart of WBL—authenticity, opportunity, and impact.