We're just one month away from the 17th annual NW Youth Careers Expo, taking place virtually on March 16-17, 2021, from 1-4 pm.
We’re expecting more than 6,000 students from 70+ high schools across 15 counties at this year's Careers Expo. The Expo will feature a virtual Exhibit Hall where students and educators can “visit” booths to learn about different organizations. Exhibitors can share materials and videos about their workplace, and they can host chats to answer questions. In the virtual Auditorium, students can hear Career Talks on topics including job-hunting, networking and interviewing. Students can also participate in a scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes.
Only a few days remain for employers to join our 80+ exhibitors and 30+ sponsors! Thank you to all our Expo sponsors, including Amazon Web Services and Prosper Portland, our 2021 Diamond Expo Sponsors.
In addition to preparing for the Expo, PWA is working with school partners to support students through virtual mentoring and mock interviews. Last month, PWA and North Clackamas School District collaborated for a second round of virtual mock interviews, serving 180 students from three high schools.
"I feel as much of a connection in these Zoom mock interviews as I do in-person. It's also critical that we learn how to do these video-based interviews as more and more companies incorporate this -- COVID or not," one volunteer said.
We are excited to continue this mock interview work throughout the year. Special shout-out to educators and career coordinators preparing students for life after graduation at our partner districts of Portland Public Schools, North Clackamas, Parkrose, Reynolds and Gresham-Barlow.
In January and February, we held sessions with the Youth Impact Council, where students received career mentoring on leadership and teamwork from board leaders Rachelle Thurik of Nike, Jarryd Briggs of Umpqua Bank and board President Marcus Carter of Cinder Staffing. Students also brainstormed scavenger hunt prizes, vetted auditorium topics and planned their roles for the Careers Expo.
“I liked how inclusive the activity was and how our ideas are actually important,” one council member shared. Student council members of this inaugural group receive career mentoring, leadership opportunities, and a small stipend while helping guide PWA’s programming.
Each month, we highlight a board member and their contributions to PWA. Today, meet Susan Shugerman of Oregon Health & Science University. Susan is a long-time supporter of PWA!
Finally, special thanks to everyone who has made an individual donation this year and to generous funders including Providence Health Plan for investing in our year-round work. It makes a world of difference. And as always, thank you to our volunteers for supporting Portland-area high schools and our future workforce!
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 EXPO SPONSORS
(As of 2/18/2021)
2021 Diamond Expo Sponsors
Amazon Web Services, Prosper Portland
2021 Platinum Expo Sponsors
The Boeing Company, Clackamas Community College, Legacy Health, Nike, OnPoint Community Credit Union, The Oregonian/OregonLive, TechTown PDX
2021 Gold Expo Sponsors
City of Portland, Fortis Construction, Hoffman Construction, Intel, Kaiser Permanente, NW Natural, Port of Portland, Portland Community College, Portland General Electric, Umpqua Bank, U.S. Army
2021 Silver Expo Sponsors
Associated General Contractors (Oregon-Columbia Chapter), Emerick Construction, Greenbrier Gunderson, Howard S. Wright, JE Dunn, MDU Resources Foundation, OEG, Oregon Health & Science University, Performance Contracting Inc., Todd Construction, TriMet, Willamette Dental Group, Worksystems
2021 Bronze Expo Sponsors
Barran Liebman, Bassetti Architects
2021 School Sponsor
Hydro-Temp Mechanical
