At Palm Springs High School, we offer General Work Experience Education—an elective class which combines supervised paid employment in any occupational field with related classroom instruction in employability skills.  A formal written individual training agreement identifies the responsibilities of Palm Springs High School, employers, parents, and students, including the work hours, learning goals, and job duties.

      Students develop work habits, attitudes, self-confidence, and job skills which can be used to locate, secure, and retain employment in the community.  Work Experience class assists students in choosing and preparing realistically and wisely for careers.  Instruction is divided into four quarters:

1^st Quarter:  labor laws and workers rights

2^nd Quarter: career exploration; skills to succeed and progress in a career

3^rd Quarter:  financial awareness

4^th Quarter:  job search skills

      Work Experience students are typically employed in the service sector:  at fast food chains, in theaters, at grocery stores, and a few are involved with clerical work in offices.  Our largest local employer of students is Knott’s Soak City.

      All students under the age of 18 must possess a work permit, issued at the school.  Once employed, a Work Experience student may work longer-than-usual hours, up to 40 hours a week, although this is not recommended.  Work Experience students earn course credits for learning on the job and attending one class per week:  5 credits per quarter (9 weeks) if they are working 20+ hours on average a week; or 2.5 credits if they are working less than 20 hours a week.

      At this time, many students are feeling the effects of our slowing economy--most students report that they secured a job after applying at six or seven different places.  This is significantly different compared to just one year ago when jobs were not scarce.

      Employers are welcome to contact the PIE office to list a job vacancy by calling Fern Rudd, Partners in Education Coordinator and Work Experience teacher at

760-778-0448 or emailing me using the contact me page.

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