“I know that if at least one other student gets an experience comparable to what I received, then their opportunities for success will increase tenfold.”  -- Andrew Shelton, PPS graduate of Benson High School

If you’re a student visiting this page, we know you’re looking for something. Maybe general career advice. Maybe an “in” to a specific employer, like Ziba Design or Nike. Or maybe your counselor has sent you on a mission to find a Career Related Learning Experience (CRLE), sometimes pronounced “curlies” for short.

Well, you’re in the right place. Every day, the Portland Workforce Alliance helps students like you find their career aspirations. We connect teenagers with local employers to learn about job possibilities, and we aim for all students to further their education and find satisfying, well-paying careers.

We know you don’t yet have it all figured out. (We don’t, either.) Our goal is to help you make choices after high school that will expand your options, not limit them. Here are some possibilities:

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.

Regsiter 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.

Explore other options

Learn about internships, mentor programs, and other career-education possibilities in the Our Work section.

Hear what other students say

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

Check out these tips and resources: