Career Quest Internships
Career Quest Internships
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:
- 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
Bernie Lenoue, Teacher and Counselor
bdlenoue@seattleschools.org
Ballard High School
Brent Martin, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
brmartin@seattleschools.org
Bridges XIP Program
North Region: Siphia Mann, siung@seattleschools.org
South Region: Katherine Meyer, kemeyer@seattlschools.org
Central Region: Lilna Givan-Williams, lagivanwilliam@seattleschools.org
XIP Website
Cascade K-12 Virtual Option
No CCLC
The Center School
Alfred Sidman, Teacher and Worksite Learning Supervisor
acsidman@seattleschools.org
The Center School Career Center
Chief Sealth International High School
Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinators:
Linda Filley Bentler, lifilleybent@seattleschools.org
Daron Camacho, djcamacho@seattleschools.org
Chief Sealth Career Center
Cleveland High School
Joseph Mingo, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
jemingo@seattleschools.org
Cleveland High School
Franklin High School
Daniel Ruiz, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
dpruiz@seattleschools.org
Franklin website
Garfield High School
Geoff Bolan, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
gmbolan@seattleschools.org
Garfield College and Career Center
Ingraham High School
Genet Simone, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
gesimone@seattleschools.org
Ingraham Career Connected Learning
Interagency
Danso Gyamerah, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
dkgyamerah@seattleschools.org
Interagency Experiential Learning Opportunities
Lincoln High School
Wyn Pottinger-Levy, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
wypottingerlev@seattleschools.org
Middle College High School
Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinators:
Lura Ercolano (South), ltercolano@seattleschools.org
Gabrielle Blakemore (North and Central), gablakemore@seattleschools.org
Nathan Hale High School
Zarita Hester, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
zbhester@seattleschools.org
NOVA High School
Karina Luboff, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
kjluboff@seattleschools.org
Rainier Beach High School
NadjhChanel Patterson, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
ncpatterson@seattleschools.org
Roosevelt High School
Edward Rho, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
ewrho@seattleschools.org
Seattle Skills Center
No CCLC
Seattle World School
Bill Butler, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
whbutler@seattleschools.org
West Seattle High School
Brian Fitzgerald, Teacher and Worksite Learning Coordinator
bjfitzgerald@seattleschools.org
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.
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: December 10, 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@seattleschools.org!
STG is now accepting applications for the 5th Annual ELEVATE: a showcase of black and brown youth voices uplifting one another through the art of spoken words.
Format:
- Weekly in person writing sessions starting in March
- Two rehearsals in June followed by a Final Share performance on June 12, 2025
Benefits:
- Payment for participation in the program
- Opportunity to strengthen writing skills and onstage presence
- Mentorship from local artists and mentors
- Open Mic’s + Workshops
- Professional performance experience in a renowned venue
- Highlights on STG’s social and newsletter platforms
- Meals provided at rehearsals and performances
- Possible future performance opportunities throughout the season
Participants of ELEVATE must be 14-20 years old and have a background/ interest or looking to grow confidence in poetry (slam poetry), spoken word, MC, monologue/speech writing, public speaking.
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
Where: Climate Pledge Arena, 334 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
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.
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
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.
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.
Preference will be given to applications submitted before Sunday, September 22, 2024
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
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
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
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.
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.
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