Career Connections
Career Connections is a no-cost, 3-year career development program for Portland residents (ages 18-24) who are interested in exploring professional careers. The program starts with an intensive 5-week training followed by long-term, participant-tailored career advising services (described below). See the “Enrollment Information” section below to find out how to enroll.
Program Features:
- Training - Our 5-week training held downtown at partner company locations focuses on professional work culture, career planning and industry exposure. Our partners hold tours of their locations and facilitate workshops on topics such as behavioral interviewing, customer service, networking, and personal finance.
- Job/Internship Placement - We partner with diverse organizations that offer paid internship and work experiences for our training graduates. Click on the “Partners” link to the left to see a full list of our supporting organizations.
- Career Advising - Each participant has a Career Advisor who acts as a mentor, advocate and career coach. Career Advisors help advisees refine their goals, set up action plans, and make connections to the professional world.
- Long-Term Support - Open Meadow makes a three-year commitment to the career development of each participant, so programming goes far beyond initial job placements. Career Advisiors help participants plan for long-term financial stability, post-secondary education, and advancement in their chosen career field beyond entry-level employment.
- Support Services - Career Services can provide incentives and stipends, transportation support, child care, and other supportive services for youth who are actively engaged in programming and have a demonstrated need.
Industry Tracks -
Career Connections partners offer job and internship opportunities in specific industry areas for training graduates. Individuals interested in entry-level business, banking or public service/city government opportunities are especially encouraged to apply. But, interest in one of these career fields is NOT required for program admission. Here is a description of the different pathways people take after finishing our 5-week training:
- Entry-Level Business - Interested in working in a professional office? Our graduates have been hired for every kind of office job - from mail distributors to receptionists, administrative assistants, and office managers. Partners include Standard Insurance Company, Comcast, Bullivant Houser Bailey, TODAYS Staffing and many more. Participants can get their feet wet in entry-level positions and move up within their fields with the support of our Career Advisors. Many of our participants work for a few years and then pursue college coursework in business administration or human resources. We can help you do that!
- Banking/Financial Services - Banking is a growing industry. If you have some previous cash handling and customer service experience, we could connect you with one of our banking industry partners. These include: Albina Community Bank, Bank of America, Umpqua Bank, Wells Fargo, Sterling Savings Bank, Washington Mutual and US Bank. You can have a starting wage anywhere from $9.50-$13.00/hr.
- Public Service/Government - We have strong partnerships with Metro, Multnomah County, and the City of Portland. These lead to a diverse array of opportunities. Do you want to work at the Native Plant Center? As a Park Ranger? Tempted to join the Portland Police force or work at Multnomah County Library? The opportunities are nearly endless. If you are interested in public service, professional stability and the personal benefits that come from working for a public agency, give us a call.
- Post-Secondary Education/Training - Are you interested in going to college, but you’re not sure how to make it happen? We will help you navigate the world of post-secondary education. Education beyond high school is often vital for long-term career success.
- Occupational Trainings: Take advantage of our partnership with the PCC/MHCC Career Pathways program. We work with Worksource Portland to provide full tuition and make sure you succeed. Our participants have had great success in the Certified Nursing Assistant, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Installation, Computer Technology Support Specialist, and Pharmacy Technician pathways.
- Associates and Bachelors Degrees: We can provide some limited scholarship funding in addition to intensive support in applying for financial aid/grants/scholarships. Your Career Advisor will help you navigate campus, identify resources, and succeed in classes through regular meetings and workshops. We’ll do anything we can to make sure you get your degree!
- Independent/Other - Do you want to be a mechanic, flight attendant, artist, or something else that doesn’t fit into any of the options listed above? Though we may not have formal partnerships in many occupational areas, we’ll help you find an entry-level connection to your chosen field. Our training’s focus on professionalism and planning is universally important. Once you have finished the training, you can work with a Career Advisor to determine your own path to career success!
Enrollment Information:
Our most successful participants know that they need support, and they welcome it. We’re happy to lend as much support as participants want. All enrollees go through the Career Connections Training***, which acts as our gateway to long-term career development support. This training begins every 10-12 weeks, so we are always recruiting and enrolling youth.
Upcoming Career Connections Trainings: DOWNLOAD FLYER
Eligibility Requirements - To qualify, you must:
- Meet our income qualifications (we’ll help you figure this out)
- Be able to pass a drug screening when applying for an internship or job with one of our partner companies
- Reside in the city of Portland
- Be between 18-24
- Have a diploma or GED within 2 months of enrollment
To Apply:
- Contact Sarah Lechner, Training Coordinator, to let her know you are interested and to schedule an interview. Sarah can be reached at 503-488-5178 or
- Update your résumé
- Interview with Sarah - bring your résumé
- Attend group interview with other applicants. Interview with Sarah, another Open Meadow staff member, a representative business partner, and a past program participant. Again, bring résumés.
***If you are interested in long-term support, but are unsure whether you will be able to meet the scheduling demands of the training, please feel free to call and set up an appointment. Accommodations can be made for the right candidate.
This program is funded through The City of Portland’s Bureau of Housing and Community Development Economic Opportunity Initiative and through funds from Multnomah County.
A Career Connections intern at her desk
I want to thank you very much for all the help and all the support you’ve given me. I am where I am because of you. I want you to know that I appreciate you, and I’ll never forget the help I’ve received from you!
A Corporate Connections participant to Career Services staff, after receiving word of his promotion at Standard Insurance Company.