Student & Educator Resources - Portland Workforce Alliance

Join us at the 17th annual NW Youth Careers Expo, a virtual career-exploration experience for high school students on March 16-17, 2021, from 1-4 pm. The live features will take place during that time. The event will be open for 30 days following the event for asynchronous learning.

Registered students can learn about the region’s broad range of careers and pathways; hear from diverse voices sharing career tips in the Auditorium; meet leading employers, colleges and training programs in their virtual booths; take away resources in their digital “backpack;” and try the scavenger hunt for the chance to win amazing prizes.

Top 3 Educator Resources

Expo Resource Guide: Advance Edition (includes Agenda, Exhibitor List, Scavenger Hunt clues, and more)
Student Guide to the Expo Video (5-minute platform video guide for students)
Educator and Student Overviews (short slide decks for educators & students)

Other Educator Resources

Sample Post-Expo Student Assignment (Google Form)
Other Sample Teacher Assignments (general ideas for before, during and after the Expo)
Sample Reminder Email to Students (editable Word doc)
1-minute Expo Student Teaser Video
Student Flyer
List of Exhibitors

See our Educator FAQs on the registration page for more information (event and log-in details, etc)

PWA Expo Office Hours

We hosted "office hours" to answer any Expo-related questions in February, with a 15 min presentation followed by a Q&A. You can sign up for our final Educator Office Hour on Wednesday, March 3, at 3 pm or register to view the recording below:

View the previous office hour recording (30 min)

The NW Youth Careers Expo will look different this year, but the goal is the same: Support and inspire high school students on their career journey, and connect the region’s leading employers with their future workforce. Thank you educators for helping students develop their career aspirations!

Expo Tips for Students

The Expo is a great chance to learn about careers and hear from employers about next steps after graduation. Planning ahead will help you make the most of the virtual event. Students can:

Read up beforehand.

Visit our exhibitor page to get a sense of what employers will be present. Don’t just scan the list for familiar names! Research smaller employers and unexpected exhibitors, too.

Go on a fact-finding mission.

Select five employers to visit and brainstorm questions for them. (What skills are necessary for this career? What type of education/training do you need? What is the salary range? What do you like most about your job, and what are the biggest challenges? Here are a few more.)

Try out Expo2Go

The Expo2Go is an online resource where you can identify your career interests and learn more about top employers, colleges and training programs in the region.