Work Experience
Create work experiences for underrepresented youth and young professionals of color.
Portland Means Progress features work experience service programs, managed by Worksystems and The Contingent, which provide underrepresented youth and young professionals of color a paid and meaningful work experience opportunity. These programs have access to an existing pipeline of program participants and provide employer/workplace vetting and participant preparation and vetting.
10 Tips for a Successful Internship
from SummerWorks
The Script
The Script (formerly Emerging Leaders) matches current undergraduate students, recent college graduates, post-graduate students, and PhD candidates of color with paid internships at top Portland Metro companies. The Script is dedicated to diversifying the workforce by providing pathways to leadership for underrepresented communities. Its mission is to empower diverse, local talent to author their own script and to excel as professionals through the power of opportunity and a supportive community.
96%
of companies & 97% of interns report satisfaction with The Script internship experience
Demographic: Current undergraduates, recent college graduates, post-graduate students, and PhD candidates of color
Cost: Administrative Fee: $2000 per intern; Salary/wages: minimum of $18 hourly
Duration: minimum of 10 weeks for 30-40 hours a week
Timeline: Late May/Early June- Late August/Early September. Most internships average 12 weeks.
Deadline: January
Contact: The Script Website
Visit The Script’s website to learn more, express interest and contact The Script, powered by The Contingent
PDX Youth @ Work / SummerWorks
The PDX Youth @ Work program provides flexible work experiences over the course of the school year. This program connects youth from diverse backgrounds to paid internships. The program provides payroll and employer-of-record services to the employers they partner with, and job coaching and transportation assistance to the youth who enroll.
82%
of PDX Youth @ Work interns successfully completed their internships
Demographic: Underrepresented youth age 16-24
Cost: PDX Youth @ Work Sponsorship is $3,400 per youth (includes 160 hours at minimum wage)
Duration: Minimum 160 hours total. Typically, 30 hours a week for 5 weeks, but schedules range between 20 hours and 40 hours a week.
Deadline: None (ongoing opportunities); June 1 for Summer placements
Contact: SummerWorks Website
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