
Many employers at the 21st annual NW Youth Careers Expo are hiring! Others have volunteer opportunities, internships, classes or other ways for high school students to gain invaluable skills and connections. Want to find them quickly when you attend on March 19, 2025?
Just look for the lightbulb on display at their exhibitor booth, signifying they've got active opportunities. Below is a sampler to get you started.
Who says you can’t have fun and make money at the same time? Summer jobs let you earn some serious cash without giving up your sunny days. Whether you’re saving up for that new gadget, a summer road trip, or just want some pocket change, these gigs are perfect. Plus, you’ll build skills and connections that could come in handy down the road – all while having plenty of time to hit the beach or binge-watch your favorite shows. Win-win!
Portland Parks & Recreation and Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation District are hiring hundreds of high school students this spring for summer jobs. Stop by their booths to learn more!
Hiring employers in the high-growth fields of construction, automotive, and healthcare include Avamere Living, Fresenius Medical Care, RDO Equipment Co, Lease Crutcher Lewis, Inline Construction, Walen Construction, Marquis Companies & Consonus Healthcare & AgeRight, Beaverton Oral Surgeons, RiverBend Materials, and Lithia & Driveway. Other Expo employers that hire for the summer include: Portland Timbers, Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, Pedalheads Bike Camps, Multnomah County, City of Hillsboro, University of Oregon and more.
Volunteering isn't just about doing good – it’s also about feeling good and making connections. Whether you're passionate about animals, the environment, or helping people, these opportunities let you give back to the community while gaining skills you didn’t need or possibly landing you a job for the future. Plus, you’ll build a circle of like-minded people and maybe even discover a career passion you didn’t know you had. Exhibitors with volunteer opportunities include:
- Healthcare: American Red Cross, Peacehealth, Providence, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center
- Public & Human Services: Oregon Humane Society, Options Counseling and Family Services, Multnomah County,
- Sports, Government Services, Recreation & Tourism: City of Hillsboro, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Pedalheads Bike Camps Inc., Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp
- Business, Construction & More: NAMC-Oregon, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Portland Fashion Institute, The Real Life, UPLIFT Leadership, and Earth Advantage & EnerCity Collaborative, Daimler Truck North America
- Education & Higher Learning:Portland Community College, University of Oregon, Portland State University
Need extra cash for weekend plans, saving up for a car, or just want some financial freedom? These part-time jobs are perfect for high school students who want to work without giving up their study time or social life. With flexible hours, you can balance work, and school. Plus, you’ll get real-world experience that’ll set you apart when it’s time to apply for college or full-time gigs.
- Construction and Manufacturing: Benchmade Knife Company, Lease Crutcher Lewis, RDO Equipment Co, Inline Construction
- Healthcare: Marquis Companies & Consonus Healthcare & AgeRight, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, Providence, Beaverton Oral Surgeons
- Public/Human Services & Higher Ed: City of Hillsboro, Multnomah County, Portland State University, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, University of Oregon
- Sports & Recreation: Portland Timbers, Pedalheads Bike Camps Inc.
- Transportation, Automotive & Technology: Oak Harbor Freight Lines, Lithia & Driveway
Who says learning and earning don’t mix? Paid internships give you the best of both worlds – real-world experience and a paycheck. Whether you’re saving up for college or just wanting to treat yourself, internships pay you to learn new skills and build a network that could lead to a full-time job offer. Exhibitors that say they offer paid internships include:
- Construction & Manufacturing: ACE Mentor Program of Oregon, Apollo Mechanical, Bassetti Architects, Benchmade Knife Company, The Boeing Company, Lease Crutcher Lewis, MECOP, Inc, NAMC-Oregon, RDO Equipment Co., RJ Ramos, Reser’s Fine Foods, RiverBend Materials, Walen Construction, James W. Fowler Co., Printing Industries Association
- Healthcare: Marquis Companies & Consonus Healthcare & AgeRight
- Public/ Human Services & Higher Ed: City of Hillsboro, Multnomah County, Options Counseling and Family Services, Portland State University, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, University of Oregon, POIC
Transportation & Business: The Real Life, C-TRAN
Okay, so you won’t be cashing any checks, but the experience is priceless. Unpaid internships offer a backstage pass to the working world, letting you learn from industry pros. You’ll get hands-on experience, make valuable connections, and gain insights that textbooks or YouTube just can’t teach. Think of it as investing in yourself.
- Construction & Manufacturing: Lease Crutcher Lewis, NAMC-Oregon
- Healthcare:American Red Cross
- Public/Human Services & Higher Ed: C-TRAN, Multnomah County, Options Counseling and Family Services, Portland State University, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, University of Oregon
- Creative, Business and More: The Real Life, FINE, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
Ever wondered what a day in the life of a graphic designer, engineer, or healthcare worker looks like? Job shadowing lets you follow professionals around to see what they do, how they do it, and what skills they use daily. It’s like watching a reality show, but way more educational.
- Public/Human Services & Higher Ed: Multnomah County, The Oregon State Bar, Portland Community College, University of Oregon, Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue
- Construction, Architecture & Manufacturing: RDO Equipment Co., Lease Crutcher Lewis, LLC - Portland, OR, Printing Industries Association, Marquis Companies & Consonus Healthcare & AgeRight, RiverBend Materials, NAMC-Oregon, Bassetti Architects, Omega Morgan, James W. Fowler Co.
- Business, Creative and More: The Real Life, FINE, Lithia & Driveway, Pedalheads Bike Camps Inc.
- Healthcare: Options Counseling and Family Services, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc, Fresenius Medical Care
Hands-on learning, creativity, fun or perhaps lectures. Whether you want to code like a pro, design the next big fashion trend, or learn leadership skills, these programs are designed to help you grow while having a great time. Plus, you’ll meet new people who share your interests and get a head start on college or career paths
- Community colleges: Portland, Clackamas, Mt. Hood and Chemeketa community colleges.
- Training programs: Northwest College of Construction, Portland Fashion Institute
- Four-year colleges: Oregon State University, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, University of Oregon
Other organizations: Alliance of Black Nurses Association of Oregon, Avamere Living, NW Cyber Camp @ PSU, Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, Pedalheads Bike Camps, The Real Life, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, UPLIFT Leadership, U.S. Army ROTC
Why wait until after college to start your career? Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn, combining hands-on job training with classroom instruction. You’ll work alongside industry pros, gaining skills that lead to certifications and high-paying jobs – all without racking up student debt. If you’re ready to get your hands dirty and your wallet full, these opportunities are calling your name.
- Automotive & Transportation: Oak Harbor Freight Lines, C-TRAN, Lithia & Driveway
- Construction, Architecture & Manufacturing: Glaziers Apprenticeship, NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center, Area 1 Inside Electrical JATC, Area I Plumbers, Walen Construction, Cherry City Electric, Northwest College of Construction, Omega Morgan, RDO Equipment Co., Benchmade Knife Company, Viking Automatic Sprinkler Company, Apollo Mechanical, Bassetti Architects, NAMC-Oregon, UA Local 669 Fire Sprinkler Fitters JATC, Area 1 Sign Installers, Inline Construction
- Healthcare: Oregon Bio, Avamere Living, Alliance of Black Nurses Association of Oregon
- Business: OSSIA/OSEEF, Regional Training Center
Not quite ready for the full apprenticeship experience? Pre-apprenticeships give you the foundation and skills to hit the ground running when you’re ready to level up. Think of them as a sneak peek – you’ll get industry exposure, basic training, and a head start on certifications. It’s like a practice round before the big game, ensuring you’re ready for whatever comes next. Employers that participate in pre-apprenticeships include:
- Walen Construction
- Northwest College of Construction
- Portland Community College
- POIC
- Inline Construction
Expo exhibitors: Have we missed anything? If you have an amazing “lightbulb” opportunity that is not listed here, let us know at expo@portlandworkforcealliance.org.