Student Opportunities

Welcome students! PWA’s work is centered around providing you all with opportunities to explore career aspirations. Our goal is to empower you to further your education and find satisfying, well-paying careers.

PWA's programs and career days create connections between you ( high school students) and local employers to learn about job possibilities you could pursue in the future. Check out the information below to learn more and engage in PWA career related learning opportunities!

Come to the annual NW Youth Careers Expo

The annual NW Youth Careers Expo offers a great chance to pursue your career goals. Talk with people from some of the region’s top employers and get career advice in a low-pressure setting. Practice your skills at a mock job interview, or try out some cool equipment from a local hospital, construction firm or design studio.

Register for a Career Day

In a typical year, we offer more than 50 career days to Portland-area students. Most are specifically for students in our contract partner school districts (Portland Public Schools, Parkrose, North Clackamas, Gresham-Barlow, Reynolds and Oregon Charter Academy) while others are also open to students from the greater tri-county area. For more information on how to register for specific days, visit our Events page.

Sign Up for Our Mentorship Programs

PWA collaborates with community partners to offer opportunities for you to work with employers and gain valuable career experience. A lot of these are PAID opportunities that give you a chance to build you career skills, make connections and learn more in-depth about careers you are interested in. Click here to learn more!

Explore other options

Visit our Student Stories page to hear from students themselves about the value of career education in their own lives

Exhibit or Sponsor at the Expo

For Educators

Check out these tips and resources:

Questions to ask employers

Career Day Question Map

How to prepare for the Expo

Job Shadows

Tips for Success, in English and Spanish

Financial Resources

Are you a teacher or a parent? Check out these pages to learn more:

For Parents

Learn about opportunities for your teenagers to develop their career aspirations, continue their education after high school & maximize their odds of finding rewarding work.

For Educators

Check out resources that can help your students make the connection between today’s classroom learning and tomorrow’s career options.