Three-day event to give area students firsthand exposure to local careers
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Oct. 21, 2026)–Kirkwood Community College’s Workplace Learning Connection (WLC) will be hosting its inaugural Take a Peek Career Week Oct. 27-29, giving high school students across seven counties an opportunity to explore careers through job shadow experiences with local employers.
Students from Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties will spend time inside area workplaces, learning directly from professionals and getting a firsthand look at careers available throughout the region. Over the course of the event, 750 students from 42 high schools will take part in more than 50 job shadow experiences with local employers.
“Take a Peek Career Week gives students the chance to step inside a workplace and experience a career firsthand,” says WLC Director Kristine Bullock. “A few hours with a professional can help a student confirm an interest, discover something completely new, or even realize a career isn’t the right fit–all of which are valuable before they invest significant time and money in their next step.”
The event also highlights the role local employers play in developing the region’s future workforce. By opening their doors to students, businesses can introduce young people to career opportunities close to home while helping them understand the skills, education and training needed to pursue those careers.
“We’re concentrating hundreds of career connections into three days so our community can see the impact, but Workplace Learning Connection creates these opportunities throughout the entire school year,” said Bullock. “Our role is to connect students, schools and employers, so young people can explore careers and make informed decisions about what comes next.”
Throughout the year, WLC connects schools and employers to provide students with career exploration opportunities including classroom speakers, worksite tours, career fairs, career prep, job shadows, and internships. Last academic year, WLC placed 4,735 students in job shadows.
According to WLC’s 2025-26 student survey, 98% of students said their job shadow experience provided valuable information about their career interests, while 90% said it influenced their selection of a career field. Additionally, 96% said the experience increased their awareness of career opportunities in their community or Iowa, and 75% said it positively influenced their decision to live and work in Iowa.
There will be 52 businesses are participating in Take a Peek Career Week, including BankIowa, Bayer Crop Sciences – Williamsburg, Billion Chevrolet Buick GMC, Brown’s West Branch, C S Auto Body LLC, Capri Cosmetology College-Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Cedar’s Edge Evergreen Market, CIVCO Medical Solutions, Clickstop, Inc., DNR – Iowa Geological Survey, Frontier Co-Op, Gingerich Well &, Pump Service, GunnySac Designs, Highland Elementary, ITS – Infrastructure Technology Solutions, Jen Lewis Photography, Jet Air, Inc., Johnson County Attorney’s Office, KCRG TV-9, Kirkwood Community Collage – Agricultural Science, Kirkwood Community College – Business and Information Technology, Kirkwood Community College – Nursing, KZIA 102.9 FM, KGYM 1600, Linn County Conservation – Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center, Lone Tree Elementary, Marion Police Department, McCreedy Ruth Construction, LLC, Mercy Medical Center, Mercy/St. Luke’s School of Radiology, Metal Design Systems Inc., NewBoCo, North Liberty Police Department, PCI Academy, Schultz Strings, Inc., Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services – Cedar Rapids, Skogman Realty – Cedar Rapids, Systems Unlimited, Inc. – Iowa City, The Summit of Coralville, Theatre Cedar Rapids, United Way of East Central Iowa, UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital, University of Iowa – College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa Health Care, University of Iowa – School of Music, Viking Maintenance, Virginia Gay Hospital, and West Branch Family Dentistry.
For more information about Workplace Learning Connection, visit www.kirkwood.edu/wlc.