The importance of a work-based learning coach in school

How do we benefit?

Naomy Berganza and Hailey Rodriguez

May 20, 2026

For many high school students, thinking about the future can feel overwhelming. Some students already know what career they want, while others are still trying to figure themselves out. That is why having a work-based learning coach in school is very important. After interviewing Mr. Chavez revealed that these coaches do much more than help students get internships or jobs. They guide students, motivate them, and help them prepare for life after high school.

Mr. Chavez mentioned that his role is about “doing work with the teachers and classes” so students can connect what they learn in school to real careers and experiences outside the classroom. His words showed that work based learning is not just another school program, but something that can truly change a student’s future.

One of the deepest things Mr. Chavez talked about was how students need opportunities to explore who they are. He explained that students have “different career paths to explore,” and that every student has different strengths, goals, and interests. That quote stood out because many teenagers feel pressure to already have their whole future planned out. A work-based learning coach helps remove some of that pressure by giving students real experiences and guidance. Instead of students feeling lost after graduation, they are able to learn about careers while they are still in school.

Mr. Chavez also talked about how these experiences help students grow as people, not just as workers. Through internships, job shadowing, and workplace experiences, students learn responsibility, communication, and professionalism. These are soft-skills that cannot always be learned from a textbook. Listening to him shows how important it is for students to have adults in school who support and encourage them to succeed. He also wants students to know that they can always find him around campus or in room 417 if they need help, advice, or information about work-based learning opportunities. Chavez is dedicated to supporting students and making sure they feel comfortable asking questions about their future.

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Overall, having a work-based learning coach benefits students because it prepares them for the real world, gives them confidence, and helps them discover future career opportunities. Coaches like Mr. Chavez make students feel supported and more prepared for adulthood after high school.

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About the Contributors

Naomy Berganza, Spanish Editor

Naomy Berganza is a 17 years old senior (class of 2026). She was born and raised in El Salvador and immigrated to the USA when she was 13. She is a naturally competitive person and doesn’t like messing around whenever she has stuff to do. That is why when she has strong desires to outperform in the tasks she engages in. For example, she attacks her responsibilities with a serious mindset rather than wasting time. She loves to help everyone around school with anything she can like helping teachers pass out papers. decorating, organizing, translating, explaining to others, etc… This is her first time in Journalism class, even though she wasn’t sure about taking it, once she realized what it was about it called her attention and plans to learn and improve in this class as much as she can. After high school, she plans to be a Neonatal intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse and she said she will do everything to make it reality.

Hailey Rodriguez, Spanish Editor

This is Hailey Ramirez Rodriguez’s first and last year here at Hawkins because she moved schools for her senior year. She made the Hawkins HS cheerleading team on August 21 and she has been having the best experience. This is important because she’s attended three different high schools and she will be ending her high school years here at Hawkins High School. Here’s a little known fact about Hailey, her favorite color is pink; she likes going to the beach to walk around or to sit down, and she also enjoys going to the park to paint or just to be there. Her family is very important to Hailey, that is why she likes spending time with them, going over to her family’s house or inviting them over to her house to spend time with them. She looks forward to making a lot of memories with them, doing new things with them or even going to new places such as in theme parks, road trips or just places they find interesting on the internet. Another interesting fact is that Hailey enjoys doing her hair, trying new hairstyles. One last thing about Hailey is she loves all her jewelry because each piece was given to her on special days and are memorable.