On Tuesday April 22, 2008 Director Paul Scarlett and Outreach Program Coordinator, Tiffani Penson continued their community at Jefferson High School where they met with students to unveiled the upcoming 2008 summer internship opportunity at the Bureau of Development Services.

Last summer the bureau hired 5 students of Parkrose High School as part of the School to Work Program in addition to 5 students from the Immigrant Refugee Community Organization to participate in a paid summer internship at the bureau.  This year we are extending this opportunity to 5 Jefferson High School students as a part of their Career Pathways Program.  This opportunity is made available to students with the expressed goal of exposing them to the type of work bureau employees perform, as well as, teaching them job skills and work related responsibilities.

The Director’s presentation consisted of an overview and history of the bureau, the services we provide to our customers and the different career opportunities available.  He also added a personal element to the presentation by telling his story of how he landed at the bureau and touching on each of the career advancement opportunities that ultimately lead him to the position of Director, thus expressing to them “the world is full of endless opportunities”.

To wrap up the presentation Tiffani explained the details of the internship and the steps to take to apply for the positions. She also elaborated on the educational opportunity in addition to the social impact the program will have on the students.  “This program in an all inclusive experience that I want to share with you”, said Tiffani.

On behalf of the bureau, we would like to thank Career Pathways Coordinator Laura Bullinski and Principal Cynthia Harris for inviting us into their school and we look forward to working with their shinning stars. 

For more information, please contact Tiffani Penson at (503) 823-1109 or email penson_t@ci.portland.or.us