Da Vinci Students Sharpen Career Skills with Mock Interviews at Belkin HQ
Da Vinci’s new Work Experience Program (WEP) kicked off this fall with its first mock interview event, held at Belkin International’s headquarters in El Segundo. Professional partners from Belkin, Fabletics, and Da Vinci's Central Office conducted one-on-one mock interviews with students, offering an authentic glimpse into the professional world and helping them practice essential career readiness skills. LifeLaunch students also participated, joining WEP students in gaining hands-on experience with professional interviews.
In preparation, students crafted resumes, developed elevator pitches, and practiced strategies for confident and professional communication. On the day of the event, they put these skills into action—dressing professionally, smiling, and greeting interviewers with a firm handshake. They discovered that the art of the interview begins long before stepping into the room—a lesson they experienced firsthand through WEP’s job training.
For many, the experience was eye-opening. Executive leaders and hiring managers from Belkin and Fabletics volunteered their time, providing valuable feedback drawn from years of industry experience and helping students understand what employers look for in candidates.
One student reflected, “I learned a lot and got so much out of this. I was able to get a lot of relevant and helpful information about me as a person—who I am and how it’d be to work with me.”
Another added, “I felt comfortable with my interviewer. I appreciate the feedback she gave me based on my performance that I can reflect on.”
Experiences like these are exactly what the Work Experience Program is designed to provide. Part of Da Vinci’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum, WEP prepares students for future careers through early exposure to professional environments. By learning foundational workplace skills, building professional networks, and exploring potential career paths, students gain confidence and clarity about their futures.
Today, Da Vinci’s Work Experience Program partners with more than 200 industry and community organizations, creating powerful opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and real-world learning.
To support these outcomes, Da Vinci’s Real World Learning department launched the Work Experience Program—an elective course for juniors and seniors seeking job readiness skills and early professional exposure. This year, 19 students from all five Da Vinci high schools are enrolled. To participate, students must be at least 16 years old and ready to engage in both classroom learning and real-world application.
WEP meets during the fifth-period block as a year-long course. In the fall, students focus on career readiness—developing resumes, practicing interview skills, building professional networks, and refining workplace communication. Those who successfully complete this phase advance to the work-based learning phase in the spring semester, where they gain hands-on experience at job placements or internships.
Cristina Medina, Da Vinci’s Work Experience Education Program teacher, collaborates with both new and existing industry partners and local businesses to arrange unpaid internships and support students pursuing paid positions.
