On October 25, CRSM teachers had the unique opportunity to visit the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) workplaces of their students, spending time at various business partner locations where students gain hands-on experience throughout the week. Earlier this year, we welcomed representatives and supervisors from these business partners to CRSM, allowing them to observe how their interns balance their roles in the workplace with their academic life in the classroom.
This workplace exchange was a merging of worlds in a sense—an opportunity for educators and business professionals to swap ideas and perspectives. By experiencing each other’s environments and the two places the students are involved with every week, they deepen their collaboration and strengthen the support system that helps our students thrive academically and professionally.
“The student interns and Rust-Oleum employees seemed to collaborate with each other, as well as with other groups in the company. Problem-solving seemed really important to them. They encourage student workers to try- even if they might fail”, said Shelby Nensel, a Math Teacher at CRSM who visited Rustoleum. “The ability to problem solve and speak up about ideas and thoughts was very important to the Rust-Oleum supervisors”, said Shelby. “They (Rustoleum Supervisors) would rather someone who fails but continues to try, than someone who doesn’t try at all.”