Are you looking for a way to gain valuable on-the-job experience and training?

Pathways to Government is Lane County's premier internship program, designed to create inclusive pathways for talented individuals from historically underrepresented groups to explore career opportunities within Lane County Government. This centralized program is strategically aligned with Lane County's vision and aims to improve diversity, equity, and representation within the organization.

Overview: Pathways to Government offers a comprehensive internship experience to Lane County residents, undergraduate, and graduate students, with a special emphasis on candidates from underrepresented backgrounds. The program is committed to supporting individuals such as first-generation college students, those in low-income/socio-economic situations, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, BIPOC individuals, Veterans, and those with diverse abilities.

Mission: The mission of Pathways to Government is to foster a diverse and talented workforce that reflects the community's unique characteristics and values. Through this program, Lane County Government aims to provide opportunities for historically marginalized individuals to develop valuable skills, gain hands-on experience, and pursue professional careers within the organization.

Key Objectives: 

Inclusivity and Equity: Pathways to Government actively seeks to diversify the talent pool by reaching out to underrepresented communities and promoting inclusive hiring practices.

Professional Development: The program focuses on equipping interns with the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to thrive in their respective fields and excel in public service.

Mentorship and Guidance: Interns benefit from dedicated mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals within Lane County Government, enhancing their learning experience.

Community Engagement: Pathways to Government encourages interns to engage with the local community, address pressing issues, and contribute to positive change.

Long-term Career Pathways: The program aims to create a pipeline for talented interns to transition into full-time roles within Lane County Government, promoting career advancement and retention.

By cultivating a diverse and inclusive intern cohort through Pathways to Government, Lane County Government is committed to building a stronger, more representative workforce that is better equipped to address the needs of its diverse community. The program's vision is to create a more equitable and just society by fostering talented leaders from all walks of life who will contribute to the positive growth and development of Lane County.

Internship Opportunities for Spring Term 2024:

• CLOSED

As an Intern, you will receive:

• Paid 11-week internship doing project work - $15.00/hour.
• Networking opportunities.
• Informational interview opportunities.
• Presentation skills - Interns present to group of county employees about the project work completed during their internship.
• Gain knowledge, skills, and abilities required to work in various positions throughout the County.
  

Community Health Centers of Lane County Medical Director Dr. Brunader and Nurse Practitioner Leah Figueroa-Carnine recently met with UO Physiology department Internship Director Amy Sibul, to discuss our Centralized Internship Program! Check out what a successful internship with the CHC might look like!

Pease contact Lane County Human Resources, Talent Acquisition Strategist: Laura Vinson 

Hear what Intern  Michele Nuñez-Lopez had to say about her Internship experience!

Lane County Intern Testimonials

Nathan Mitchell-Hooks PW Analyst
Nathan was one of our FIRST Interns at Lane County! Nathan worked in Human Resources in Organizational Development. After this internship, an HR Technician position came open, and Nathan applied, and was selected, and the rest is HISTORY!

Here is what Nathan had to say about his internship experience:

“In the summer of 2017, I had the opportunity to work as a Human Resources intern through Lane County’s internship program. Being a recent college graduate, I was looking for opportunities to gain work experience that would be significant in shaping my career and future goals.  Through the internship, my knowledge of public sector work, and the wide range of career fields it encompasses, was greatly expanded. The internship led to full-time employment, and I’m proud to say I’ve been working for Lane County ever since.   

If you’re looking for an opportunity to directly utilize the skills and knowledge you’ve gained through your education and studies, to network with County staff who are passionate about the work that they do, to learn how you can make a unique and powerful impact in your community through your work, and to have fun doing it, then I would highly recommend that you apply for Lane County’s internship program!”

Katherine Massey - HR Talent Acquisition Intern
Katherine's Internship with Talent Acquisition focused on helping us update items in our ATS. Katherine came to us from LCC's Business program.

Here is what Katherine had to say about her internship:

“My internship within the Human Resources department in Lane County Government was an extremely rewarding experience. Working with the HRIS and Talent Acquisition divisions in HR provided me an opportunity to learn how Lane County functions as a business, and how Human Resources helps the business run. I believe everyone should do an internship because it's a great opportunity to apply the knowledge you gained in school to a professional work setting. While doing this internship a position opened within the Human Resources department and I am proud to say I am currently the Human Resources Technician. This opportunity gave me a chance to see what I would expect in the work field that my degree would lead me to. I highly recommend internship opportunities with Lane County!”

Katie Lor - HR Talent Acquisition Intern
Katie's Internship with Talent Acquisition helped us immensely! She is a recent MPH Graduate, congratulations Katie!

Here is what Katie had to say about her internship:

"I gained valuable insight and knowledge during my internship at Lane County Administration's Human Resources Recruitment & Selection team. Some of my duties entailed generating informational videos and tutorials for applicants and executing a social media plan to amplify candidate reach. Laura, my internship supervisor, was a great contributor in how amazing my experience was. Laura is a professional with expertise and professional background in the recruitment and selection of stellar applicants. She taught me the importance of networking and building strong professional relationships. This internship was beneficial because it developed my professional aptitude, strengthened my personal character, and provided a greater door to other opportunities. By investing in this internship, it gave me the broadest spectrum of opportunity when seeking and applying for a job after college."