Work Experience FAQ
1. What is General Work Experience 290?
General Work Experience 290 is a Credit/No Credit course designed to assist students in acquiring and improving good work
habits, attitudes and career awareness in actual job settings. Students must have a volunteer or paid employment position
prior to enrolling in the course, however, jobs held by students do not need to be related to their educational goals or college
major. Students may use hours from two separate jobs as long as all required paperwork is completed for both sites.
2. How long is the Work Experience class?
General Work Experience 290 courses start at two different times during the semester. Students have the option of enrolling
in full-semester length courses or enrolling in the short courses. For both the full semester course and the short course,
students may count the number of hours worked starting from the first day of the semester. Course requirements and assignments
are identical for full-semester courses and short courses. You must pick up the course syllabus from the Career Center or
download it from the Career Center website.
3. How many units can I enroll in for Work Experience?
Units are based on the number of hours you work during the semester. You must complete your hours in order to receive credit
for this course. If by the withdrawal date for the course you anticipate you will not complete the necessary hours, you have
the option of dropping the course and adding a short course for a lower number of units. Students can take up to 3 units per
semester for a total of 6 Work Experience units overall.
4. How many hours do I have to work or volunteer?
The hours you can commit to working during the semester (a 16 week period of time) determines how many units you can enroll
in. Hours and units are noted below. Notice that if you are volunteering or completing internship hours, fewer hours are required
for each unit.
1 unit = 75 work hours or (60 volunteer hours)
2 units = 150 or (120)
3 units = 225 or (180)
5. How many class meetings am I required to attend?
You are required to attend an orientation meeting and a midterm meeting during the semester. If you can not make those meeting
times, you can watch the meetings on DVD in the LRC (Learning Resource Center) or in the Career Center. You will pick up your
syllabus in the Career Center or download it from the Career Center website.
6. How do I register for this class?
You must register through your Pipeline account or go to Admissions & Records. In Pipeline, find General Work Experience 290
and select the section you want based on the number of units and hours you can commit to completing. Remember that you can
not change your section or units once the last day to add has passed, so be careful to estimate how many hours you realistically
complete.
7. What if I don't pass this class?
This is a Pass/No Pass class. Students who don't pass may have it negatively effect their financial aid requirement. For more
information on this, please ask your Financial Aid Advisor.
8. Do I have to work in the field that I'm majoring in?
No. Your work or internship hours can be completed anywhere and this class is meant to improve your workplace skills and communication
with your employer.
9. How much does it cost to enroll in this class?
Students will pay the normal tuition price per unit and International students will pay the international student price per
unit. Tuition costs change each year, so please talk with the Cashier's Office about this.
