Host an Intern

Thank you for your interest in Clatsop WORKS; we are glad that you are interested in offering a summer 2027 internship! The link to apply will open on October 1st and the deadline to apply will be December 15th, 2026.

The Clatsop WORKS Program connects local students (ages 16 and up) with paid, professional internships in Clatsop County, offering hands-on, real-world experience in a variety of industries. These work-based learning opportunities help students build valuable job skills, explore career pathways, gain confidence, and develop professional networks — all while earning income and strengthening their résumés. By participating in internships close to home, students are empowered to envision a future in their own community.

For businesses, Clatsop WORKS is a strategic way to invest in the next generation of local talent. Employers gain access to enthusiastic, capable interns who bring fresh perspectives and energy to the workplace, while helping shape a workforce that meets current and future industry needs. Together, students and employers build lasting connections that contribute to workforce development, economic vitality, and a stronger, more resilient community.

The link below will take you to our application site where you can apply to be a host employee for a Summer 2026 intern. Follow the link to our applications manager website, Host Employer Summer 2026 to apply. Please have your job description prepared, as you will be asked to upload it during the application process. Applications are due by December 15th, 2025. Before applying, please scroll down to review the requirements to host an intern.

The link to apply will not be active after December 15, 2026. If you missed the deadline but are still interested in offering a Summer 2027 internship opportunity, please contact Misty Bateman for further instructions at [email protected]

Benefits of hiring an intern

Close the skill gap and retain local talent- Help a student develop important workplace skills such as professionalism, leadership, and effective communication, while developing future high school and community college graduates to contribute value-adding work to your business now and in the future.

Give back to the community- Hiring interns not only helps students in your community get started, it enhances the local workforce as a whole and creates more visibility for your organization.

Take on creative and advanced projects- Interns often bring enthusiasm, positive energy, and a new perspective while increasing your bandwidth for new projects.

Perks of the Program for Employers

Many motivated students of all ages to choose from –we have over 100 applicants each year!

The applications are available to you online and are tagged for interest.

No obligation to hire –if your plans change or you do not find a candidate who is the right fit, you can withdraw from the program.

YOU the employer choose who you would like to interview and who you want to hire.

Interns are hired with your normal hiring procedures for a summer / temp employee.

Interns are NOT eligible for unemployment benefits.

As with any employee, interns can be terminated for cause.

The Program Manager is always available to assist you with any issues!

Clatsop WORKS takes care of…

Marketing all internship positions,

Recruiting students and employers,

Receiving intern applications, resumes, and cover letters and tagging application materials with host sites that are a good match,

Providing completed, pre-screened applications to employers,

Offering student applicants workforce/career readiness training such as resume writing, interview skills, etc.,

Hosting an Employability Skills (Soft Skills) workshop with student applicants,

Hosting an Employer Orientation for new employers,

Facilitating the WORKS program, including weekly Professional Development / Career Exploration Sessions,

Scheduling a worksite visit during the internship to check-in with the employer and the student intern.

Requirements to host an intern:

Be able to hire an intern part-time or full-time at minimum wage or higher for 8-10 weeks (mid-June through late-August, varies by employer).

Have an employee who is willing to mentor an intern.

Have the office/floor/work space to house an intern.

The best internships supply interns with real-world experience that helps shape their future career aspirations.

How is an internship different from a traditional summer job that your business might offer?

Internships are typically learning-focused opportunities meant to help students apply their academic knowledge in a real-world setting. While they can involve routine work, they should also include:

Clearly defined learning objectives

Supervision or mentorship from a professional in the field

Opportunities for skill development and reflection

A structure that supports the student’s career exploration or academic goals

In contrast, summer jobs are usually more task-oriented roles that prioritize productivity and often don’t provide the same level of mentorship or learning experiences.

If you’re open to adjusting the role a bit, we can work with you to reshape a typical summer position into an internship that provides both meaningful contributions to your organization and valuable professional development for a student.

Important take-away: Internships are learning-focused: Internships are designed primarily for learning and gaining experience. Students are not expected to know everything already.

In short:

Internship = learning with some work

Job = working with some learning

Internships start with good preparation.

Draft a job description that includes projects the intern will be working on.

Identify the team and the supervisor the intern will be working with at the company.

Clarify the hours, compensation, and evaluation the intern should expect.

Defining both the company’s and student’s objectives at the start is the best way to create value for both parties.

Onboarding (whether virtual or in-person) is essential to prevent any issues and/or dissatisfaction from either party later on.

Give/receive feedback throughout the duration of the internship

Like all job listings, internship descriptions should clearly state the company background, culture, goals of the position, scope of work, hours, pay, and necessary skills.

Some internships are project-based, with clearly defined deliverables and purposeful, value-adding work that encourages students to apply their skills. Duties and tasks can evolve, but when there is a lack of bandwidth to provide daily tasks, the student always has the central project to fall back on.

Identify a Mentor and a Supervisor

A mentor acts as the “intern buddy.” They will be the intern’s go-to source for questions ranging from “can I ask someone from another team for advice on a project?” to “is there a good lunch spot nearby?” The mentor can be the supervisor, fellow team member, or simply a longtime employee.

The supervisor is the intern’s boss, assigning work and monitoring progress. Regular feedback and structured evaluations can help the intern understand their strengths and the areas that need improvement, promoting growth during the internship.

If you have any questions or need any more information, please email Misty Bateman at [email protected]

Click below for more information on requirements, Host Employer responsibilities, the hiring process, and tips for a successful internship.

What our Host Employers say:

“Lower Columbia Preservation Society has found great success with the Clatsop WORKS Internship Program. We have both a permanent employee and a board member who originally came to us as interns. We highly recommend this program to local businesses and nonprofits.”

“Through the Clatsop Works program, we found a great employee for the Seaside Farmers Market who we brought back for the next season!”

“All our interns have been great! We have enjoyed the ones we have hired and the ones we have interviewed and supported in the program. Our desire to see this program work has stretched us in our capacity to understand the logistics of BOLI and because of that process we have developed a more inclusive and comprehensive outline of our goals as a company. We have learned a lot and have enjoyed watching the youth in this program learn and develop and gain new skills. Times have been tough and continue to be tough but working with the youth and seeing how eager and flexible and strong they are keeps us excited and faithful for our future. Keep up the good work!”

“Having interns from the Clatsop Works program involved in our team has not only inspired us to become better leaders professionally but also become engaged in the next generation and what they have to offer in their future. We have had 2 successful runs with high school aged interns and expect to continue being involved moving forward.”

“Our intern surpassed our expectations. She was willing to learn new skills and teach other staff and volunteers. Amazing Teamwork!”

“I was very impressed by our intern’s passion and vision in this role.”

If you have any questions or need any more information, please connect with us.