348 Transforming Work-Based Learning: Insights from Kristy Volesky

·44 min·4 clips

Kristy Volesky explains how a 10-minute handshake lesson can turn a basic business tour into a career-changing opportunity for students.

The episode features an interview with Kristy Volesky, an expert with over 20 years in education and work-based learning. Hosts Peter Hostrawser and Alli Privet introduce the fall series and congratulate Peter on reaching 500 skydiving jumps. Volesky begins by sharing her background: she started as a business teacher in rural Iowa, taught overseas, and later worked in a suburban school where she transformed a disheartening work-release program into a successful model that required hiring a second coordinator. This led to a role at the Iowa Department of Education, where she focused on scaling work-based learning programs using scrappy, resource-efficient methods. She now runs her own consulting business, helping schools nationally. Volesky emphasizes that 'small changes can make a big impact,' illustrating this with the example of preparing students for a business tour by teaching them how to introduce themselves with a handshake—a 10-minute activity that boosts confidence and impresses businesses. She discusses the importance of career planning and reflection, noting that counselors often have caseloads of 600-800 students, so classroom-level support is crucial. The conversation explores low-hanging fruit for work-based learning, such as school-based enterprises like school stores, and the critical need to start career exposure in middle school. Volesky cites the OECD principle, 'you cannot be what you cannot see,' to argue that students need direct connections to careers beyond their immediate circles. She critiques traditional middle school career fairs as passive and proposes interactive, hands-on alternatives where students try tasks like taking blood pressure. Volesky addresses the purpose of education, arguing it should develop thoughtful, adaptable problem-solvers with strong networks, not just funnel students into jobs. She envisions a future where elementary schools introduce general pathways, middle schools offer more career exposure and leadership opportunities, and high schools deepen community engagement through CTE programs and projects like creating murals. When asked about blockers, Volesky identifies lack of funding and the need for businesses to shift from passive recruitment to active engagement with schools. She suggests starting with one business and building from there. The episode concludes with a discussion of Volesky's book, 'Work Based Learning,' which she wrote to provide practical, scannable guidance for coordinators, inspired by 'Smart Brevity.' She shares her contact information and resources, including a YouTube channel, to support educators.

As heard by us

Work based learning pushes back on a college-first script and uneven access to hands-on experience.

This episode frames work based learning as a question of access as much as curriculum. It argues that a college-first script can leave students behind when they need earlier hands-on experience and clearer ties to real-world connections.

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Why you'd press play

If college was never the only route, this one hands you a sturdier map.

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