Seattle Public Schools

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Internship Programs

Career Quest Internships

Student wearing mask holding up peace sign on construction job site

Career Quest is a Seattle Public Schools (SPS) Internship program. Students can earn high school credit outside of their school day while exploring careers for their futures. These internships and jobs help students gain valuable experience to prepare them for future success. The Career Quest program connects students to credit-earning opportunities in two ways:

Do you have a job or internship or will have one soon? Great news! You can earn up to 1.0 CTE credits for work and internship experiences. To participate, students must meet the following criteria:

Student at Worksite Learning location, smiling and sweeping
  • Students must be at least 16 years old
  • Students must have a job or internship

To enroll in this program, students must complete the following:

  • Complete the Learning at Work interest form below
  • Complete the enrollment packet and return to your CCLC

To complete this program, students must complete at least 180 hours in one school year for 0.5 CTE credits or 360 for 1.0 CTE credits. Hours will not count until your enrollment has been approved.


Career Connected Learning Coordinators by High School

Alan T. Sugiyama High School
Crystal Welander, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
cpwelander@xlqx.net

Ballard High School
Brent Martin, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
brmartin@xlqx.net

Bridges XIP Program
North Region: Siphia Mann, siung@xlqx.net
South Region: Katherine Meyer, kemeyer@seattlschools.org
Central Region: Lilna Givan-Williams, lagivanwilliam@xlqx.net
XIP Website

Cascade K-12 Virtual Option
Karina Luboff, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
kjluboff@xlqx.net

The Center School
Alfred Sidman, Teacher and Worksite Learning Supervisor
acsidman@xlqx.net
The Center School Career Center

Chief Sealth International High School
Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinators:
Linda Filley Bentler, lifilleybent@xlqx.net
Daron Camacho, djcamacho@xlqx.net
Chief Sealth Career Center

Cleveland High School
Joseph Mingo, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
jemingo@xlqx.net
Cleveland High School

Franklin High School
Daniel Ruiz, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
dpruiz@xlqx.net
Franklin website

Garfield High School
Jharman Lightner, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
jmlightner@xlqx.net
Garfield College and Career Center

Ingraham High School
Genet Simone, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
gesimone@xlqx.net
Ingraham Career Connected Learning

Interagency
Danso Gyamerah, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
dkgyamerah@xlqx.net
Interagency Experiential Learning Opportunities

Lincoln High School
Wyn Pottinger-Levy, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
wypottingerlev@xlqx.net

Middle College High School
Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinators:
Lura Ercolano, ltercolano@xlqx.net
Yvonne Dunn, ymdunn@xlqx.net
Rebecca Goldberg, rjgoldberg@xlqx.net

Nathan Hale High School
Brian Babinec, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
bebabinec@xlqx.net

NOVA High School
Jennifer Spigner, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
jaspigner@xlqx.net

Rainier Beach High School
Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinators:
Geoff Bolan, gmbolan@xlqx.net
Joseph Murphy, jmmurphy1@xlqx.net

Roosevelt High School
Edward Rho, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
ewrho@xlqx.net

Seattle Skills Center/ District Office
Karina Luboff, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
kjluboff@xlqx.net
Skills Center website

Seattle World School
Bill Butler, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
whbutler@xlqx.net

West Seattle High School
Brian Fitzgerald, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
bjfitzgerald@xlqx.net

Not all learning takes place in a classroom! Interested students can sign up for a Career Quest course during the summer. Apply to join one of our amazing internship programs this summer! Once applications are open, links will appear next to each bullet point below.

Summer Career Quest applications are currently closed. Please see the list of community internships below for additional opportunities.

Five students sitting around round table working with Micro:Bits

Summer Career Quest Internships provide students with career exploration and development opportunities.  Student interns will work closely with their internship host to discuss solutions and ideas while developing problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, presentation and networking skills. Students participate in a wide range of workplace activities to gain skills and knowledge for specific occupations, while being supported by weekly career development class time with a Seattle Public Schools Career Quest teacher. 

We are now accepting interest forms for organizations interested in hosting an intern for Summer 2025!

Internship Directory

Updated: November 25, 2024

Live list of available internships open to Seattle Public Schools students (ages and requirements vary).

Review the tabs below to search for available internships and learning opportunities. Check out the Learning at Work tab above for details on how to earn credit for work or an internship.

Internships & Programs – Open

Quick highlights of Internships and Programs that are currently open.

Have an internship to add? Email careerconnected@xlqx.net!

Who: Resident of King County, 16-20 years old

What: Students have the opportunity to gain entry-level work experience and mentorship as cashiers, runners, cooks, and leads at Seattle Mariner’s T-Mobile stadium, earning $19.97-21.30 per hour

outlines of hands in blue grasping eachother boys and girls club logo

Where: Climate Pledge Arena, 334 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Orange logo with words AIM initiative on it

What: Be a Dance Buddy to a neurodiverse or disabled student in an adaptive movement camp. Volunteers will dance, move, ad play with students facilitated by a teacher. They will provide unique support to students to make sure that everyone is safe and engaged

When: Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the week. Typical shifts are listed below:

  • Saturdays, 12:45-2:15PM
  • Saturdays, 2-3:30PM
  • Sundays, 2:45-4:15PM
  • Sundays, 3:45PM-5:15PM
  • Sundays, 4-5:30PM
  • Wednesdays, 4:15-5:45PM

Where: All That Dance, 3012 NE Blakeley St, Seattle, WA 98105

UW College of Education is seeking two multilingual high school intern from South Seattle area, preferred attendees of Rainier Beach.

Seattle Multilingual Collective is a group of educators, researchers and community embers looking to enhance linguistic justice for mulitlingual students and educators or color in South Seattle Schools. They are seeking a mulitlingual High School student looking to give back to their community while also gaining experience for college/career in the future.

This opportunity is paid and available to all students regardless of residency/citizenship status.

Outdoors for All Foundation is a non-profit based in Bellevue that provides outdoor recreation for people with disabilities. In the winter, we offer alpine, Nordic, and snowshoe programs for people with disabilities at The Summit at Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass.

Logo for Outdoors for All Foundation, green mountain and tree in enclosed circle with text: outdoors for all foundation

OFA is seeking high school volunteers for this exciting program. This is a great way for people to gain valuable experience while receiving volunteer hours, building community, and giving back. 

Who: Urban Native Education Alliance was founded in 2008 to engage generations of Native youth through education, culture, and tradition. This opportunity is open to High School age Native Youth. Tribal enrollment is not required.

What: Youth Interns receive a $500 monthly stipend from UNEA for 6 hours of work per week.

When: Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:30-8PM (okay to attend one of two days), with mandatory virtual meetings on Sundays from 7-8PM

Where: North Seattle College

To Apply: send resume, letter of interest and biography of yourself (including goals, interests, strengths, and favorite quote) to Sarah Sense-Wilson uneachair@gmail.com. An agreement form as well as a one-page PDF form must be completed and will be sent out upon request.

Deadline: Rolling applications

Urban Native Education Alliance logo a medicine wheel

What: Young Women Empowered offers programs in horticulture, writing, and art for teens ages 13-19 in the Greater Seattle area. All of our programs are free to attend and center young women, trans, non-binary, and gender expansive youth. We offer a wide range of topics to explore, but the core themes across all our programs are belonging, wellness, and thriving.

Who: For young women, trans, non-binary, and gender expansive youth ages 13-19. We also offer a summer internship and various community events.

Y-WE logo with two figures with their arms in the air in celebration

When: Program times/days vary based on track

Where: Locations vary based on track

Teen Reading Coaches provide one-on-one tutoring after school, two days each week. They help their assigned student readers improve their reading skills, while also being positive role models and mentors: they care about their readers’ success and show empathy and understanding in their work.

Team read logo with two circles green and orange looking into a blue book and text "Team Read" to the right

Preference will be given to applications submitted before Sunday, September 22, 2024

High school students in Shoreline Community College biomanufacturing lab

What: Two pathways to jumpstart a career in biotech. Students gain hands-on training in a biomanufacturing lab, network with industry experts, increase their job opportunities upon completion and earn 9 college credits with free tuition through Running Start. This program can be taken in conjunction with a full-time high school schedule.

  • Pathway 1: Basics of Biomanufacturing Certificate (9 months) – HS students learn basic lab techniques in biomanufacturing, explore careers, and interact with industry mentors – for 11th and 12th graders
  • Pathway 2: Fred Hutch Lab Technician Certificate (2 years) – Expand upon the basics of the biomanufacturing certificate (pathway 1) by collaborating with scientists at Fred Hutch and expanding hands-on training with cutting edge technologies at Shoreline Community College – for rising seniors
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle

Who: 18 to 24 year old students (graduating seniors welcome to apply!)

What: A paid internship that connects young adults to permanent employment opportunities in the maritime industry. Participants get paid an hourly stipend, enjoy case management and employment support as well as resume building and networking opportunities.

When: Rolling Admissions

Questions?: Contact Grace Dollente, Youth Engagement Coordinator, at Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle gdollente@urbanleague.org

Person sitting cross-legged signing Hope with left hand

Who: Students must live within Seattle City limits or attend schools in Seattle, open to students ages 14-24 with IEP/504 plan and meet income requirements. Students are paid a quarterly stipend and can earn up to $250 in incentives.

When: 9/11-12/20 (current quarter, upcoming quarters TBA) on Mondays from 5-6:30PM on Zoom and Wednesdays from 4PM-6:30PM on Zoom.

Contact: Eugene Choi eugenec@opendoorswa.org or Rachel Lewis rachell@opendoorswa.org.

Who: The Youth Exploration Program is designed to introduce career exploration to in-school youth ages 14-21 with an IEP or 504 Plan to apprentice-able pathways in the trades.

What:

  • Work-Readiness Classroom Workshops: Held virtually or in-person during the school year
  • Summer Boot Camps: work-based learning, 40-hour paid training
  • Exploring trades careers through job site tours, informational interviews, and job shadowing, when available.
  • Strength building and how to support ones needs while practicing self-advocacy, workplace communication, and team building

Learn More: To learn more and apply, contact Director of Programs, Dee Jackson at dee@anewcareer.org or call 206-710-1004

Students and a mentor working in a wood shop
Seattle Police Explorer Patch

The Seattle Police Law Enforcement Exploring program aims to bridge the gap between youth and police by educating and involving them in police operations and to interest them in Law Enforcement.

Who: Exploring is for young men and women 14 to 21 years of age with a grade point average of 2.5 or above

When: must attend 2 – 4 monthly meetings in succession.

Cost: Free

Deadline: N/A

Application: If you’re interested, please reach out to Officer Tre Smith, tre.smith@seattle.gov.

City of Seattle Fire Department

Young adults seeking a career as a Seattle firefighter can apply to participate in our department’s cadet programs.

Applications are accepted year round. Applications received February 1-July 31 will be notified of selection decisions in August. Applications received August 1-January 31 will be notified of selection decisions in February.

Who:
To qualify for the program, you must:

  • 16 to 20 year old students
  • Be in good physical condition (must complete Cadet Program Physical Ability Test)
  • Meet required attendance expectations
  • Have a strong desire to be a Seattle Firefighter

When: Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m

Where: Joint Training Facility (9401 Myers Way South)

Cost: Initial cost of $95.00 and $10.00 per month in membership dues. There are additional fees for special trips and events. Financial assistance is available

What: A variety of opportunities including media arts club, youth advisory council, and a social media internship (paid). Gay City promotes protective factors that support the development and self-determination of LBGBTQ youth.

Gay City Youth Logo in Green and Black
A female student adjusting an architectural piece

What: Femme2STEM is a FREE program geared toward serving female-identified BIPOC youth ages 17 – 24 who are furthest from opportunity by assisting them to overcome institutional barriers and racial & social inequities to explore, plan, and ultimately launch careers in STEM

Who: Female-identified BIPOC youth ages 17 – 24 who are furthest from opportunity and interested in STEM

When: Rolling application

Services offer:

  • Career exploration
  • STEM college & career readiness
  • College & career navigation support
  • Academic & social-emotional support
  • Internships
  • Mentorship and peer support
  • Site visits
  • Informational interviews

Contact Val: vanderson@ywcaworks.org

For more information, please visit their website

Looking for more? Check out the list below of internships, maintained by other organizations in the Puget Sound area:

Associated Recreation Council (ARC) Job List

Mountains to Sound Greenway Internship List

Communities of Opportunity – Workforce Development List