Work Experience Student FAQs

Why should I take a Work Experience (WEXP) course?

There are a number of potential benefits:

  • It’s a great way to improve your marketable job skills while earning college credit- all without adding another weekly class to your busy schedule! You do this while you are working!
  • WEXP 251L and 252Lcredit is transferrable as a CSU elective! You should always check with your counselor to be sure!
  • It can help you build up your GPA. With commitment and follow-through, it is relatively simple to earn an A. Much like a gym membership- you’ll get the most out of it by following a proven plan for success.
  • You’ll have the opportunity to develop your professional relationships with your supervisor and build your pool of references.
  • You’ll have the opportunity to create customized goals (learning objectives) for what you want to learn on the job.
  • If you need to maintain a minimum number of units (for financial aid, insurance, veteran’s benefits, keeping your parents happy, etc.), WEXP is a valuable and useful way to add units to your schedule- without adding weekly classes to your schedule. Some of the financial benefits may or may not be eligible—therefore, please verify this with a counselor!
  • Work Experience related to your major field of study may help you with admissions requirements for certain educational programs.
  • You can always gain relevant experience you need to meet your career goals through internships or volunteer work.

What are the requirements to take a WEXP course?

  • You must have a job, internship or a volunteer position during the course. Only one job is eligible for credits in this course.
  • You must have a supervisor willing to participate. If you do not have a regular on-site supervisor, you may be able to arrange for a designated supervisor. Check with the WEXPCoordinator to see if this is an option for your situation.

Is any job okay?

  • Almost any job. Your place of employment (internship or volunteer position) may be with a:
  • Licensed business
  • Registered non-profit organization
  • Government/public service agency
  • Private employer- as long as payroll taxes are being paid and you are being covered by worker’s compensation insurance
  • If in doubt, contact the WEXP Coordinator

When and where is class held?

  • There are no weekly classes! This is on-the-job learning.
  • You must attend anorientationworkshop early in the course.
  • You must complete at least one meeting with your Faculty Advisor during the semester. In most cases, this is completed at the required Job Site Visit. Other meetings may be arranged as needed.

How many unitsmay I take?

  • There is a document linked on the Student page of the website that goes into detail how to select the correct course, the number of units and the specific CRN. The document is entitled “Selecting the Correct WEXP Course, Units & CRN”.
  • The number of units you may enroll in are determined by the number of hours you work during the course.
  • 75 hours of paid work equals one unit and 60 hours of unpaid or volunteer work equals one unit. You must work the required hours to earn the units- or transfer to fewer units if that is not possible.
  • The hours are intended to be worked over the majority of the weeks in the course.
  • You may take fewer units than you are eligible for if you prefer. For example, if your schedule during the course equals enough hours to earn 3 units, but you would prefer to take just 2 units, you may do so.

Which class should I take?

  • There are two different courses. You should select the course that you are eligible for:
  • WEXP 251L, General Work Experience--when your employment is notdirectly related to your educational goals. The course is intended to assist students in acquiring desirable work habits, attitudes, and career awareness.
  • WEXP 252L, Occupational Work Experience—when your employment is directly related to your educational or occupational goals. The course is intended to extend classroom learning at the workplace.
  • If you are not sure which course you should take, contact the WEXP Coordinator for assistance.

Classes start the third week of the semester?

  • Yes, WEXP courses are scheduled for 15 weeks. Although you can start at the beginning of the term, course requirements can be accomplished if started by the third week of the semester and end one week before college-wide finals.

How many times can I take WEXP?

  • You can take a total of 16 units of college level WEXPover four semesters. However, any financial aid or other financial assistance may be limited. Please confirm with your counselor for specific information.

Can I combine hours from more than one job to earn more units?

  • You may enroll in just one on-the-job WEXP course per semester. Combining hours from multiple jobs is not an option.
  • If you change jobs during the semester, you may not combine hours. If you are considering a job change, you should contact your assigned Faculty Advisor or WEXP Coordinator first!

I’ve enrolled- now what?

  • Once the semester starts login to “Canvas” (Cuesta’s Learning Management System) to obtain the information you need to complete the course.
  • Canvas can be accessed through your myCuesta account.
  • Your login ID is the same as your my.Cuesta login (typically your firstname_lastname).
  • Register immediately for one of the many Orientation Workshops that are scheduled early in each term. Attendance at the workshop is MANDATORY, meaning that you cannot continue in the course without having met this obligation. Contact the WEXP Coordinator to set this up.
  • You will get instructions and details for all of the following:
  • How to develop 1-4 customized learning objectives with your supervisor.
  • Your Faculty Advisor assignment--the instructor who will work with you personally during the course.
  • Requirements and processes for turning in a short set of preliminary forms, attending the Job Site Visit, completing a mid-term Progress Check,finalizing your employer evaluation and Time Sheet, and completing the Reflective Essay at the end of the course.

How much homework can I expect?

  • Very little! There are only a few papers to turn in at the beginning and end of the semester:
  • Initial forms (Employer Agreement, Student Application, and Learning Objectives).
  • Final forms (Reflection Essay, Employer Evaluation, and Timesheet).

Is there a book or other course materials to buy?

  • No! There is no text book. All forms and information are posted in Canvas. You only need to print out the materials that you and your supervisor need to review, sign, and turn in.
  • If you have any difficulty with downloading the course materials, contact the WEXP Coordinator promptly.

What is a learning objective?

  • A learning objective is a specific and measurable goal of what you would like learn, improve, and/or master….at your workplace during the semester.
  • You and your supervisor will work together to develop 1 to 4 learning objectives to achieve during the course.
  • The learning objectives should benefit you as the student (and your employer) during the semester while helping to build transferable skills that you will take with you as you progress in your work and career.
  • The number of learning objectives is tied to the number of units you take.

How will I be graded?

  • Each component of the course has a point value and your letter grade will be based on the percentage of points you earn.
  • The most important graded component is the achievement of your learning objectives. Your supervisor will complete a final evaluation that allows him/her to grade this portion of the course. The Learning Objective Plan and your Essay are also key graded components.
  • Other graded components includeyour responsibility for form submissions, timely and appropriate communication with the WEXP Coordinator and your Faculty Advisor, and appropriate use of technology (phone, email, etc.).

I’ve heard that most students earn an A. Does the mean it’s a super easy class?

  • Many students can earn an A. However, these students are those who are responsive, responsible, meet deadlines, communicate well, and make sure all of their requirements are met.Since there are very few assignments, the focus is largely on your learning objectives. Your learning objectives are expected to be challenging yet achievable—and your accomplishments of these objective is of paramount importance if you want to earn that “A”.

As there are no regular class meetings, how will I know what I should be doing during the semester?

  • Follow the instructions and deadlines in Canvas.
  • It is vital that you check your Cuesta emaildaily as well as check for phone messages. If you do not have easy access to the internet at home or work, you should make a point to use internet access at the college library or other locations.
  • To determine your progress or grade standing in the course, you should be proactive and check in with the WEXP Coordinator or your Faculty Advisor if you are concerned that you have not had any recent contact.

If my hours get cut or I lose my job during the course- what do I do?

  • Contact your Faculty Advisor right away!
  • Depending on the circumstances and timing, you may still be able to successfully earn a grade and credit for the course.
  • If your hours are cut enough that you will not be eligible for the units you are taking, you can be transferred to a section with fewer units.
  • Whatever you do- don’t just “disappear”.

I’ve been offered a different job during the course- what do I do?

  • Contact your Faculty Advisor right away!
  • Depending on the circumstances and timing, you may still be able to successfully earn a grade and credit for the course for one or the other of your jobs.

I’m working as an intern- is that okay for the course?

  • Yes- paid and unpaid internships generally qualify.
  • Actually, many for-profit businesses require that you be enrolled in an internship or work experience course in order to be an intern.

If your question was not answered here (or on the course materials provided to enrolled students), please contact the WEXP Coordinator at

805 546-3252.

WEXP_Student_FAQ’s_Fall2017