Heading to Rhode Island This Friday: Let’s Talk About What Actually Works in Work-Based Learning
Sue Dickson will be speaking Friday May 1st, at 10:45 in Room 556a
This Friday, I’ll be speaking at the Work-Based Learning Conference in Rhode Island—and I’m bringing a message that might challenge how we’ve been doing things.
Because here’s the reality:
We don’t have a student problem.
We don’t have an educator problem.
We have a business engagement problem.
And until we fix that, work-based learning will never scale the way we need it to.
What I’ll Be Talking About
In my session, I’m digging into something simple—but powerful:
How do we make it easier for businesses to say yes?
Not “yes, someday.”
Not “yes, when things slow down.”
But yes, right now—within the reality of their day-to-day operations.
That’s exactly why I created Give Me TEN.
The Idea Is Simple (And That’s the Point)
Instead of asking businesses for long-term internships right out of the gate, we start with:
10 hours.
Five visits
Two hours each
Real exposure to the workplace
No overwhelming commitment. No disruption to workflow. No complicated onboarding process. Just a starting point that works for everyone.
And when you start there—everything changes.
What You Can Expect From This Session
If you’re attending, this won’t be a sit-and-listen kind of session.
We’re going to talk honestly about:
Why businesses say no (and it’s not what you think)
Where traditional models miss the mark
How to build partnerships that actually last
And most importantly—how to take something simple back to your community and start immediately.
Why This Matters Right Now
Across the country, we’re talking about:
Workforce shortages
Career pathways
Student engagement
But none of it moves forward without industry at the table. And industry won’t engage if we don’t meet them where they are. That’s the shift. That’s the conversation. And that’s what I’m bringing to Rhode Island this Friday.
If You’re Attending…
Come find me. Come ready to think differently. Come ready to simplify. Come ready to build something that actually works.