Career Pathways

Earn FREE college credit with Polk State College while attending high school.

(A partnership between Polk State College and the Polk County School Board.)

About the Career Pathways & Internship Office

The Career Pathways & Internship Office at Polk State College serves as a bridge between education, industry, and opportunity. Our mission is to help students move seamlessly from the classroom into meaningful careers by aligning academic programs with real-world workforce needs.

Through strategic partnerships, experiential learning opportunities, and structured career pathways, we support students in gaining the skills, experience, and professional connections needed to succeed in today’s evolving workforce.

It’s Free! You pay no tuition for credits you receive through the partnership.

Click on the related link you’re interested in to see which Polk County high school programs offer you free college credit while in high school for the following programs:

Business, Engineering & Technology 

Aerospace Administration, Accounting Technology, Aviation Maintenance, Business Administration, Business Operational Management, Computer Systems & Business Analysis, Computer Networking, Digital Media Technology, Engineering Technology, Pilot Science, Supply Chain Management

Education

Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education 

Health Sciences

Cardiovascular Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Coding Specialist, Nursing, Radiography  

Public Safety

Criminal Justice Technology, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science Technology

Civics Career Academies

The Career Pathways for Public Service Initiative is part of the greater Civic Literacy Excellence Initiative launched by Governor Ron DeSantis in July 2021. The goal of the initiative is to create Civics Career Academies in local high schools to create a pathway for students to work in the public sector.

Students who participate in the Academies will have the opportunity to earn an industry certification in Project Management and earn credit toward their A.S. degree at Polk State College. The four courses in the Academies are:

  • Public Service Leadership – Learn how leadership is practiced and experienced in the public sector.
  • Public Service Careers and Communication – Discover the broad range of careers in the public service and nonprofit sectors. The course will align with the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative to incorporate the communication and debate skills needed to advocate within government and non-profit organizations.
  • Public Service Experiential Learning and Project Management – Complete an industry certification through Certiport called PMI Project Management Ready™.
  • Public Service Research – Address public sector issues by completing a research project that will culminate in a substantive research paper and presentation of findings to a stakeholder audience.

What We Do
Career Pathways Development

We collaborate with:

    • Local and regional employers
    • K–12 partners and academies
    • Universities and transfer institutions
    • Workforce and economic development organizations

to create clear, intentional career pathways that connect:

    • Certificates → Associate Degrees → Bachelor’s Degrees
    • Education → Training → Employment

Our work ensures students understand not only what they are studying, but where it can take them.

Internship & Experiential Learning Coordination
We oversee and support internships, externships, job shadowing, and other work-based learning experiences that allow students to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings.

Our office:

    • Connects students with approved internship opportunities
    • Partners with employers to design meaningful learning experiences
    • Supports faculty and program directors with internship integration
    • Tracks learning outcomes and workforce alignment

Internships may be paid or unpaid, depending on the employer and program, and are structured to support both student growth and employer needs.

Business & Industry Engagement
We work directly with employers to:

    • Develop internship and talent pipelines
    • Host student site visits, tours, and guest speakers
    • Align curriculum with industry trends and workforce demand
    • Strengthen long-term partnerships that support student success

Our goal is to make engagement with Polk State College clear, efficient, and mutually beneficial.

Interested in partnering with Polk State College or offering internships? Click below.
Business Engagement Interest Form

Student Internship Interest & Support
Students who are exploring or preparing for internships can connect with our office to:

    • Express interest in internship opportunities
    • Receive guidance on next steps and expectations
    • Be matched with employer partners when available
    • Learn how internships fit into their academic and career goals

Interested in an internship or experiential learning opportunity? Click below.
Student Internship Interest Form

Who We Serve

    • Current Polk State College students
    • Faculty and academic programs
    • Employers and community partners
    • K–12 education partners
    • Workforce and economic development organizations

Our Commitment
We are committed to:

    • Student-centered career development
    • Strong employer partnerships
    • Clear processes and accountability
    • Equitable access to experiential learning
    • Preparing students not just to graduate—but to thrive

For questions about career pathways, internships, or partnerships, please contact:

Rashod Webb
Career Pathways Coordinator & Internship Coordinator
Workforce Education Development
Polk State College
rdwebb@polk.edu
863.669.2924