Work Education

Weimar College recognizes the vital place of work in educating young men and women. The work education program aims to give students a sense of pride in accomplishment, to contribute to character building, to prepare for the reality of life, and to teach practical skills. We believe that work is a vital part of the fabric of life, a human right and privilege.

The education you receive from books and lectures begins a process that is completed by practical, hands-on learning. At the work site and in your weekly community ministry you will be challenged to practice the classroom knowledge you have gained. Such activity encourages the development of observation and independent thought.

As a student you will be given formalized instruction and experiences, first in the value of work and secondly in training toward employment in at least one field of your interest. You will receive credit hours for the class Work Ethics and for the 10 hours of work experience each week. The record of your work performance will be a future recommendation toward employment.

The learning that takes place in work education is integrated with the learning that takes place in the classroom. Combining work with liberal arts, science, and religion classes will provide you with cognitive and practical tools to successfully address life's challenges and opportunities. 

Work Opportunities

As an integral part of the Institute, the college offers its students a variety of work opportunities. Students learn and practice work skills from 10 hours to 20 hours a week, in the administrative, business and public relations offices and in departments for food service, maintenance, custodial, and grounds. Students may also work in the elementary school and academy, the library, the medical clinic and the NEWSTART® 18-day live-in health program managed by physicians and other health professionals, in the health food store and catalog business, at the post office, the bakery, the inn, and in the forest.

A Balanced Program

Balancing the three areas where learning takes place - classroom, work and service - is an ongoing effort. Faculty monitor the academic offerings every quarter for depth and relevancy. Students learn and receive credit for learning done outside of traditional classroom time in work education and Christian community ministry. The teaching of basic skills such as writing and speaking occurs in all areas of the curriculum.

Cooperative Work Education

When a student has developed good work ethics on campus, the opportunity is given for the student to work off campus in an area of the student's career field. Selected employers, in cooperation with the college faculty, set learning goals with each student. This gives the student on-the-job experience in an structured work environment.

"It is necessary for their complete education that students be given time to do missionary work...time to become acquainted with the spiritual needs of the community around them. They should not be so loaded down with studies that they have no time to use the knowledge they have acquired." ~Counsels to Teachers p. 545-546