Maggi Dunsmore is a leader in the field of Cooperative Work Experience. Her exceptional organizational and marketing skills are apparent, as she supervises and instructs approximately 125 Cooperative Work Experience students per semester.

Maggi is the Cooperative Work Experience Department Chair and Instructor at Victor Valley College. She has worked in the field of Cooperative Work Experience for more than 16 years. Previously, she worked as a part-time business education instructor at MiraCosta College. She has also worked in the contract education department at Victor Valley College. She is a Board Member of the California Cooperative Education and Internship Association (CCEIA), California Placement Association (CPA), and the California Community College Chancellor's Office Statewide Advisory Committee for Work-based Learning and Employment Services. She is Past President of CPA, and she has planned and implemented many state conferences and programs.

Ms. Dunsmore shares her successful practices in this interview with Marge Nielsen.

What types of Cooperative Work Experience do you offer in your college plan?
“We offer occupational work experience in over 30 disciplines and general work experience. We offer 1 - 8 units during the fall and spring semesters. During the summer, we offer 1 – 4 units.”

How do students learn about CWE and Internships at Victor Valley College (VVC)?
“They hear about Co-op through the college schedule, college catalog, other students, counselors, bulletin board outside of Admission and Records, and classroom presentations.”

What methods do you use to orient your students to the CWE process?
1. 2½-hour orientations twice at the beginning of each semester
2. Video orientation for those that miss the live orientations
3. Walk-in assistance from Co-op Ed. Office staff, if needed.

Students often have trouble managing their assignments and time, particularly with a class that doesn't meet weekly. How do you help them keep on track throughout the semester?
“We give them a "Dates to Remember" page listing all of the important dates; i.e., due dates for turning in their objectives, homework, assignments, timesheets, etc. We also send out a welcome letters to all students (new or returning) each semester. Also, each instructor sends out a letter of welcome from them with information regarding due dates, appointment dates, etc. We also send out postcards occasionally reminding students of missed appointments, timesheets, etc. Half-way through the semester, students receive a phone call or letter from their instructor requesting that their second appointment (called an advisement appointment) be made.”

What factors do you take into consideration, when you meet with an employer/supervisor?
“ At the three-way meeting with the employer, student, and instructor, we go over the objectives that the student has already turned in to the Co-op Ed. office to make sure that the objectives are legitimate, and can be accomplished within the time limits established with the available resources that may be needed. We also go over the grading system at that time. We stress to the supervisor/employer and the students that the objectives constitute that student's curriculum for their Co-op Ed. course and that their evaluation at the end of the semester of those objectives will be part of the grade.”

How do you develop linkage and support to the community and business industry for CWE support?
By visiting worksites of current students and keeping the lines of communication open for future Co-op Education worksites.

Co-op Education luncheon for employers/students at the end of the year. (Due to budget restraints, we are no longer able to do that).

Career Fairs - We'll pass out information to employers occasionally.

How have professional organizations helped you with your career?
“I've been helped tremendously by CCEIA and CPA. I became involved over 16 years ago, when I started full-time at Victor Valley College. The organizations have given me lots of networking opportunities and the chance to get involved in the organizations by serving on the Board of each. I've attended many conferences and workshops that have helped me in my career. I also attend the Tri-Regional Co-operative Education Practitioners' meeting in Southern California, twice a year.”

California Placement Association (CPA) http://www.calplacement.org
California Cooperative Education and Internship Association (CCEIA) http://www.ca-co-op.org
California Community College Chancellor’s Office Statewide Work-based Learning and Employment Services Advisory Committee http://www.calworkplace.org