Portland Workforce Alliance is seeking motivated high school students to join its Youth Impact Council for 2022-23. Students will serve as advisory peer leaders while also building relationships and developing career readiness skills for their own future. This is a paid role!

As a participant in the Youth Impact Council, students will have the unique opportunity to be a voice for their fellow students. Their ideas will inform PWA’s work to better serve Portland-area students.

WHAT STUDENTS SAY: 

• “What I’ve learned here with PWA has really sharpened my optimism about going into the workforce.” - Fia, Rex Putnam, 2021-22 participant 

• “I really enjoyed being a part of this and I loved all the things we did. Along with the information we gained and possibilities that were opened. ... Thank you for being a part of this and helping me become a better person and have better ideas.” - Zane, Clackamas High School, 2020-21 participant 

• “A lot of these opportunities are super unique ... What I learned made me more confident.” - Lauryn., Cleveland High School, 2021-22 participant 

WHAT TO EXPECT: 

What students will do: Students in the Youth Council have two main responsibilities: 

1) Serve as a sounding board for PWA career experiences, such as providing the student voice and experience to the 2023 NW Youth Careers Expo and career-mentor programs.

2) Learn leadership and career readiness skills from professionals  and participate in discussions and interactive activities with the cohort. In the second half of the program, each student will be matched with a professional in their field of interest for an informational interview opportunity. 

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:

Student Ambassador: Youth Impact Council participants have the opportunity (and are highly encouraged) to volunteer at the NW Youth Careers Expo and its kickoff PWA Expo Breakfast as student leaders, where they are in charge of greeting students and employers, answering student questions and helping ensure the event runs smoothly. 

Attending board meetings: All YIC students are invited to attend monthly PWA Board Meetings. This is a great opportunity to get a behind the scenes window into PWA’s work. Students who attend these optional meetings have opportunities to practice their public speaking. 

Additional opportunities: Other paid and unpaid opportunities to engage with PWA’s programs may arise. 

Time commitment: The council will meet once a month between November 2022 and May 2023  after school. Meetings will be from 4:30 - 6:00 and will be virtual (with possible opportunities for in-person community gatherings).

PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

Session 1: November 16 

Session 2: December 14 

Session 3: January 11

Session 4: February 8  

Session 5: March 15  

Session 6: April 12 

Session 7: May 10 

About PWA: PWA works with employers and high schools to create community-based career exploration that is meaningful, interesting, inclusive and (dare we say) fun.

STUDENT BENEFIT:

• Leadership: Students will have the opportunity to help shape PWA’s signature event, the NW Youth Careers Expo, as well as other PWA programs and events. Students may attend PWA board meetings and will have access to PWA officers and board members who are leaders in their respective industries.
• Career readiness: Students will learn career readiness skills around resume writing, interviewing, networking and more. 
• Completion stipend: Students who participate consistently in the monthly youth council meetings will receive a completion stipend at the end of the term ($200 for members.) 

APPLICATION AND ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility and requirements: Students in grades 11-12 are eligible. Priority is given to students from PWA partner districts (North Clackamas, Parkrose, Reynolds, PPS, Gresham-Barlow and Oregon Charter Academy). Students do not need expertise or prior experience, only an interest in career readiness and bringing their voice to PWA programs and events. 

How to apply: Fill out this interest form no later than Wednesday, October 26, at 5 PM. (Update: Deadline extended for PPS students to Thursday, Nov. 3, at 6 pm.) PWA will notify students by early November. Questions? Please contact career@portlandworkforcealliance.org.

Inclusion statement: The PWA Youth Impact Council is intended to be inclusive and welcoming. We welcome diversity of all kinds, including gender identity, racial/ethnic background, sexual orientation and economic circumstance.