WOU Internship Network (WIN)
Applications will be released soon
What is WIN?
The WOU Internship Network connects students with hands-on, meaningful experiences while supporting local organizations. These internships give students the chance to explore career paths, apply what they’ve learned in class, and develop practical skills. At the same time, they help agencies grow and contribute to building a stronger, more diverse workforce in the community.
The program proposes the establishment of a paid internship opportunity for Summer 2026 with the following framework:
- Duration: 10 weeks
- Dates: June 22, 2026 to August 28, 2026
- Hours: About 20 hours per week, totaling 200 hours
What are the Benefits of Participating in WIN?
- Get a realistic view of the workplace and hands-on experience
- Integrate academic learning with practical skills
- Network with professionals in their chosen field
- Explore career paths and develop transferable skills
Eligibility to Participate
- Enrollment: Students must be enrolled at Western Oregon University
- Academic Standing: Students must be in good academic standing
- Judicial Standing: Students must be in good judicial standing
How can faculty and staff get involved?
WIN is always looking for more opportunities for students. If you have any contacts you think would be a great opportunity for students, please send them our way! Feel free to contact Erin Lieuallen, Assistant Director, Experiential Learning Coordinator, with any questions or suggestions regarding businesses or agencies you would like to see a part of the program.
We’re growing… and we want you to be a part of it!
WOU Internship Network (WIN) is a paid internship pilot opportunity for Summer 2026 with the following framework:
- Duration: 10 weeks
- Dates: June 22, 2026 – August 28, 2026
- Hours: About 20 hours per week (totaling 200 hours)
If your business/organization is looking to hire an intern during Summer 2026, contact Erin Lieuallen, Assistant Director or Emily Keil, WIN Coordinator to discuss the scope of your idea. If it is a good match, we can help you create a job description of the internship for initial outreach. Let’s work together to invest in the next generation of professionals while building a stronger, more resilient workforce.
Why Host an Intern?
When structured thoughtfully, internships benefit the agency, intern, and the community.
Employer Benefits
- Gain short-term support to increase team productivity
- Attract enthusiastic, innovative talent
- Evaluate potential future employees and build a talent pipeline
- Increase diversity and access students with specialized skills
- Boost agency visibility on college campuses
- Provide leadership opportunities for employees as mentors and supervisors
- free up full-time staff for high-level tasks
- Strengthen ties with local colleges/universities
- Contribute to local workforce development and youth empowerment
Employer Responsibilities
To ensure a high-impact, meaningful experience , we ask host agencies to:
- Employ the intern as a paid employee, including:
- Workers’ Compensation insurance
- Health/Accident Insurance
- Assign a supervisor and a dedicated mentor to support the intern
- Provide real, meaningful work assignments
- Develop and implement orientation for the intern, mentor, and supervisor
- Offer networking opportunities and facilitate connections across the organization
- Train supervisors and mentors to set expectations and provide support
- Prepare ongoing feedback and request feedback from the intern
- Encourage leadership, initiative, and engagement
Employer Expectations Timeline
- April to Mid-June
- Train mentors and supervisors to set realistic expectations
- Prepare office space, equipment, and email
- Mid-June to August (June 22 to August 28)
- Onboard interns
- Facilitate ongoing feedback
- Offer development opportunities
- Regular check-ins with mentors and supervisors
- Late August to September
- Solicit feedback from mentors and supervisors
- Evaluate the success of the program
- Recommend potential changes
Available Internships
Urban Forestry Intern – Dallas OR
You will utilize TreePlotter software to take inventory of Dallas’ urban trees while supporting City Parks staff with maintaining trees by pruning, removal, watering and managing invasive species.
Minimum requirements:
- High school Diploma or GED
- College coursework in forestry, botany, or related fields
- Familiarity with native trees and plant species
- Ability to identify tree and plant species and record date using apps and tablets
- Ability to use hand tools such as clippers, saws and rakes
- Ability to work outside in various weather conditions
- Lift up to 50 lbs
EXPECTATIONS TIMELINE
- April 24th: Applications go live
- May 4th: Application closes
- May 4th thru 8th: Interviews with WIN team
- May 11th-18th: Interviews with matched employers
- May 21st: Decisions are sent out
- June 17th & 18th: Student training (Two afternoons 1:00 PM-5:00 PM)
- June 22nd: Internships start
- August 28th: Internships end
Nothing becomes real until it is experienced.
It’s no secret that internships are the most effective way for students to gain work experience before graduation. In fact, studies show that 7 out of 10 internships turn into full-time jobs. Most importantly, internships are a great way for you to explore your interests, develop professional skills, and grow your professional network. Follow your interests and find your passion.
Reduce Internship Inequity
- Paid Internships: Financial barriers often prevent low-income students from accessing high-quality internships, many of which are unpaid.
- Access to Professional Networks: Not everyone has a family or friend network that easily refers them to professionals in their industries of interest. Connecting with faculty and staff creates opportunities for students to connect with professionals.
Diversity & Democracy, 13(3).Expectation
Internship vs. Part-Time Job: What’s the Difference?
What makes internships unique is the focus on student learning. This is an opportunity for you to apply skills learned in the classroom or elsewhere, that tie to your academic, career or personal goals. While you might perform some roles that are not for your learning, the goal is for you to explore and practice your professional identity under supervision and with mentoring.
An example could be a student wanting to apply their writing skills and learn professionalism by writing press releases for a department. The expectation is that the student needs some coaching and guidance and not be expected to accomplish the task perfectly on the first try. With gentle feedback, however, the final output will be professional, well written and offer a fresh, student oriented perspective. Use the goal agreement examples below to help define your own goal.
Goal Agreement Examples
Learn more about internships and WOU’s Internship Fund: wou.edu/professional-pathways/internships
Guiding Principles
Eight Principles of Good Practice, National Society for Experiential Education
Intention; Preparedness and Planning; Authenticity; Reflection; Orientation and Training; Monitoring and Continuous Improvement; Assessment and Evaluation; and Acknowledgment
Recognition
Integrating Academic and Career Development: strategies to scale experiential learning and reflection across the curriculum, Education Advisory Board, August 2016
University as Employer: Western Oregon University Community Internship Program (pg 40 – 41)
Typical Internship Components Also Exist on Campus: position within a functioning business; Reporting line to a professional with expertise in the field; Assignments target field-specific learning outcomes; Skills developed are transferable to other organizations or companies; and access to resources and facilities necessary for learning outcomes.
Clark, A. & Plummer, K. First-Generation Students: Making Internships Possible, National Association of Colleges and Employers Annual Conference, June 2016.
Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award (finalist), National Association of Colleges and Employers, June 2016
