Launch Your Career: Internships in the City of Portland

Portland, Oregon, offers a vibrant landscape for young individuals eager to gain professional experience. Internships in the City of Portland provide invaluable opportunities to explore diverse career pathways, build valuable skills, and positively impact their futures. These programs are designed to help youth explore diverse career pathways and build valuable skills in high-growth, high-wage sectors identified within the local economy, these tailored opportunities provide hands-on experience in thriving industries across the Portland region. A short-term employment and training program, designed to introduce youth to employers who will positively impact their futures.

SOAR 7: Empowering Youth Through Internships

SOAR 7 stands as an internship program specifically tailored for youth aged 15-18. By signing the SOAR 7 memorandum of understanding, companies can make a meaningful difference in the community by providing valuable work experience for our young people. This initiative underscores the commitment to investing in the future workforce and equipping young individuals with the tools they need to succeed.

A Mutually Beneficial Partnership

Internships are not merely about providing young people with work experience; they also offer significant advantages to the companies that host them. By opening their doors to interns, businesses gain access to fresh perspectives, enthusiastic talent, and the opportunity to shape the next generation of professionals. GladRags, focused on positively transforming the experience of menstruation through resuable products and relevant education, has hosted Portland Internship Experience students every year since 2021. They were able to grow their small team by offering a job to Annie in 2023.

Financial Support for Internships

Recognizing the importance of internships, various programs offer financial support to both interns and host companies. We PAY youth and young adults to work for your company. Each internship lasts up to 200 hours and helps prepare participants between the ages of 15-24 to enter the workforce. This financial assistance helps to alleviate the burden on businesses, encouraging them to participate in internship programs and provide valuable opportunities to young people. This program is financed in whole or in part with funds provided through Worksystems.

SummerWorks: A Success Story

The impact of internships can be profound, as demonstrated by the SummerWorks program. In the summer of 2025, we hosted our own SummerWorks participant to help shape how we celebrate success. This campaign was designed and directed by young people for young people! Double click on an image below to read the full success story. Photos by Sean Bascom.

Annie Neal's Transformative Experience

Annie Neal, a Marketing and Creative Design Intern at GladRags in 2023, exemplifies the transformative power of internships. "Throughout my internship, I was engaged in a diverse array of projects, including product photography, in-depth research, campaign leadership and the curation of collections. This has been an unforgettable experience, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally."

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

Internship programs in the City of Portland adhere to strict principles of equal opportunity and accessibility. In accordance with Federal Law providers are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or disability. Providers are an equal opportunity program/employer. Auxiliary aids are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Funding and Oversight

The success of internship programs in Portland is made possible through the collaboration of various organizations and funding sources. Department of Labor, State of Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, Prosper Portland, the City of Portland, Multnomah County and employer sponsorships. Department of Labor Grants, and is funded by both state/local governmental resources. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration.

Disclaimer

It is important to note that the Department of Labor makes not guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.

Partnering for Success

Internship programs in the City of Portland are supported by a network of organizations committed to fostering youth development and workforce readiness. This program is financed in whole or in part with funds provided through Worksystems. Department of Labor, and Washington County.

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