Learning, Service and Work Well Done
The Labor Program, through the leadership of the Dean of Labor, the Labor Program Council, and countless supervisors and mentors, reflects a unified vision of labor as student and learning centered, as service to the College and broader community, and as necessary work well done.
The Labor Program, a comprehensive Work-Learning-Service program, is an integral and stated part of Berea College’s educational philosophy and program and is designed to serve the following purposes:
- Supports and provides through experiential learning opportunities the learning of skills, responsibility, habits, attitudes, and processes associated with work;
- Provide and encourage opportunities for students to pay costs of board, room, and related educational expenses;
- Provide staff for College operations;
- Provide opportunities for service to the community and others through labor;
- Establish a life-style of doing and thinking, action and reflection, service and learning that carries on beyond the college years.
Labor assignments function very much like classes. Beginning at basic levels of work, students are expected to progress to more skilled and responsible levels. Through these experiences, it is expected that student workers will 1) develop good work habits and attitudes, 2) gain an understanding of personal interests, skills, and limitations, and 3) exercise creativity, problem-solving, and responsibility. Students may also learn the qualities of leadership, standard setting, and effective supervision.
The Labor Program makes it possible for students to know each other as co-workers as well as classmates. More importantly, linking the Academic and Labor Programs establishes a pattern of learning through work that continues long after college.