What does the first job actually teach? As AI reshapes production and hybrid schedules reduce day-to-day observation of how work unfolds, this seminar puts that question back in the hands of firms. Early employment is treated not as a checklist of hours, but as a designed experience. Drawing on Virginia Tech�s W_Internship, it shows how short, structured placements can make tacit knowledge visible, strengthen mentorship, and fit within firm workflows. Through case examples and perspectives from program participants and mentors, it examines how early experience shapes professional judgment and offers strategies for engaging, evaluating, and integrating emerging professionals.