Occupational Education
Occupational Education
Solano Community College’s Occupational Education program offers work experience courses that give students the opportunity to connect academic learning with practical, hands-on experience in the workplace.
Open to all occupational education certificate and degree students, this program helps you apply theories from the classroom to real-world job situations—while earning college credit and building valuable career skills.
Turn your classroom knowledge into real-world success.
The Work Experience Education program at Solano Community College bridges classroom learning with real-world application, giving students the opportunity to earn college credit while gaining valuable job experience. Students can enroll in Occupational Work Experience (OCED 090) or General Work Experience (OCED 091), where they apply skills from their courses directly to their jobs or internships—whether paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time. These courses not only build professional skills but also strengthen resumes, help students make informed career decisions, and support the development of lifelong career plans.
In addition, Solano offers specialized courses to help students thrive in today’s workforce:
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Occupational Soft Skills (OCED 070): A 1.5-unit course designed to prepare students with the essential communication, teamwork, and professionalism skills employers expect.
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Occupational Portfolio Development (OCED 071): A 1.5-unit course focused on creating a professional digital portfolio to effectively showcase skills and accomplishments to potential employers.
Together, these courses provide the foundation for academic, professional, and personal growth, preparing students for success in any career path.
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No standalone degrees or certificates are offered for Work Experience Education. Rather, this program provides variable-unit courses that students can incorporate into their existing occupational or academic programs for college credit.
These courses include:
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OCED 090 – Occupational Work Experience
Available for 1–8 units per semester, up to a maximum of 16 units total across multiple semesters. It must align with a student’s occupational program or major.
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OCED 091 – General Work Experience
1–6 units per semester, up to 6 units total. This course allows students to gain credit for general work experience that doesn’t need to relate directly to their program or major.
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OCED 070 – Occupational Soft Skills (1.5 units)
Designed to build essential workplace skills like communication, teamwork, and professionalism. This is not a work placement course and does not require a job or internship.
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OCED 071 – Occupational Portfolio Development (1.5 units)
Teaches students how to craft a digital or professional portfolio showcasing their skills and qualifications. Also independent of work requirements.
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Stronger Resumes & Job Readiness
Gain real-world work experience and develop in-demand soft skills—like communication, teamwork, and adaptability—that make you stand out to employers.
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Smooth Transition from Classroom to Career
Apply academic learning directly on the job to enhance your practical skills and understanding of your field.
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Networking and Career Exploration
Workplace exposure helps you build professional connections and gain clarity about your interests and career goals.
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Competitive Edge in Today’s Job Market
In a landscape where experience matters, work-based learning gives you a meaningful advantage in hiring.
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Polished Digital Portfolio
Learn to craft a dynamic, professional portfolio (through OCED 071) that creatively showcases your skills and experiences to employers or transfer institutions.
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Core Workplace Soft Skills
OCED 070 helps you develop foundational soft skills—such as professionalism, collaboration, and problem-solving—that are essential across any career path.