Work Experience
Create work experiences for underrepresented youth, removing barriers for 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 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) connects underrepresented undergraduate students, recent graduates, post-graduate students, and PhD candidates with paid internships and early career opportunities at top Portland Metro companies. Dedicated to diversifying the workforce, The Script empowers diverse, local talent to write their own success stories and excel as professionals through opportunity and support.
The Script offers professional development resources, events, job matching, career solutions, mentorship, and a robust professional network.
96%
of companies & 97% of interns report satisfaction with The Script internship experience
Demographic: Underrepresented undergraduate students, recent graduates, post-graduate students, and PhD candidates.
Cost: Administrative Fee: $2250 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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