Youth Experiences
Exploring Opportunities
Our Elevate program team coordinates learning opportunities, paid work experiences, and various events for youth. Through our experiences, you'll learn about and explore career opportunities, gain skills, and develop confidence in your abilities! Check out our opportunities below.
Learning Opportunities
Industry Tours
Our team curates various industry tours each school year. Educators register groups of youth to attend these events. Please let your school know if you're interested in attending a tour! If your school is not attending, please email elevate@connectedlane.org to learn how to participate!
Tour Dates (All tours fall on a Thursday)
- Manufacturing: October 23
- Health: February 19
- Tech: March 12
- Natural Resources: May 14
Educators please register your classrooms from our educator page here.
Job Shadows
Apply for a six-hour experience that includes workplace preparation, a job shadow, and career coaching. Learn from industry professionals and explore a career that excites you.
Applications are now closed.
Paid Work Experiences
Summer Internships
Our paid Summer Internships are available to current Lane County high school juniors and seniors and offer hands-on experience in a field of interest. What makes these internships unique is that host sites are matched to each intern based on the intern's interests. Interns participate in a structured, multi-week program and must be available for the full duration.
Interns begin with an internship orientation before starting their placement and end with a wrap-up session. Those selected to move forward will participate in one interview before the final interns are chosen. Interns complete approximately 160 hours of in-person work and earn $17 per hour.
Spots are limited, and the selection process ensures representation across all school districts while prioritizing equitable inclusion of students from diverse racial, gender, and economic backgrounds. Applications require one recommendation from a non-family member. Be sure to apply early and follow all steps to submit a complete application in order to be considered.
Applications for our 2026 Summer Internships will open on Monday, January 26, 2026, and close on Monday, February 23, 2026. The experience will take place between June 29 and August 12, 2026.
Elevate Events
Career Expo
Our Career Expo, hosted each fall, offers middle school students the chance to explore local professions through interactive, hands-on activities with professionals from local companies. Pre-lessons for educators will be sent in advance.
This event is for 7th and 8th graders.
codeORcreate
This year, we've merged codeORcreate and marketingJAM into one exciting weekend competition, celebrating all things creative and innovative. This annual three-day event, open to teams of up to five youths, invites Lane County High School students and Lane Community College students to dive into the worlds of coding, website design, graphic design, game development, marketing, branding, and business. Participation is free, offering a unique opportunity to explore and showcase your skills in a collaborative, hands-on environment.
2025 codeORcreate: Friday - Sunday, December 12-14
Registration is now closed.
Hiring Fair
Each spring, our Hiring Fair connects graduating seniors and 16-24-year-old youth (regardless of enrollment status) to local job openings in high-wage, high-demand career fields. Numerous local companies with open entry-level positions join us for this event.
View the 2025 Hiring Fair Web Page for more info.
2026 Hiring Fair: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Youth Resources
Learn about local industries and career options by reviewing our pathway documents. Get to know Connected Lane County by watching videos on our YouTube channel! And visit our job board for youth to find a local job!
Looking for a Job?
Check out our youth job board where we share local entry-level positions.