Thanks to continued support from community partners like U.S. Bank, the Career Connected Internship Program at Vancouver Public Schools (VPS) is opening doors for more students than ever before. U.S. Bank’s $20,000 investment over the past school year has helped expand the Career Connected Internship Program—removing barriers and making it possible for more students to engage in meaningful, real-world career experiences.
By the end of this summer, the program will have supported more than 250 student interns, with 75 to 100 students actively placed in internships at any given time throughout the year. Running from the start of the school year through the end of summer, the program provides hands-on learning that connects classroom knowledge to future careers.
The impact of the U.S. Bank grant can be seen in the details that make participation possible. Funding has helped provide essential resources such as gardening equipment for Compost Academy students, professional clothing for interviews, and fuel cards to help students get to and from internship sites. The grant has also supported stipends for students who may otherwise face barriers to participation and ensured that meals are available during internship events and activities.
Partnerships are at the heart of the program’s success. Today, more than 150 local businesses and organizations offer internship placements. Internship opportunities range from healthcare providers – including hospitals, clinics, dental offices, veterinary practices, and occupational therapy providers – to fields such as welding, manufacturing and construction, to office jobs or legal careers. These experiences are tailored to students’ interests and post-graduation goals.
“We try to match opportunities with student’s plans after high school, and will do outreach to new worksites, if we do not have an appropriate placement for a student,” said Nina Lupo, CTE Partnerships & Choice Program Lead.
Since launching in 2019 with about 20 students, the program has grown substantially—gaining momentum after a pause during the pandemic and expanding rapidly since 2022. This year marks the largest cohort in VPS history, reflecting both increasing student interest and strong community support.
Beyond skill-building, the program is changing futures. At least ten students this year have already secured employment—or promises of jobs after graduation—through their internship experiences.
The impact of these experiences is best reflected in student voices. One VPS student who interned with the Vancouver Farmers Market shared:
“This internship has helped me further develop my communication skills… The career I am interested in will require me to have good communication skills to effectively engage with the people I will work with and the people I am helping. To improve, I need to push myself out of my comfort zone and engage with my environment, ask questions, whether right or wrong, and surround myself with people who will encourage me to do so.”
That growth led directly to opportunity—this student was offered a job as a parking attendant with the organization following her internship, highlighting the real-world outcomes and lasting value of these experiences.
As the Career Connected Internship Program continues to grow, so does its impact—helping students gain confidence, build professional skills, and take meaningful steps toward their future careers.
Interested in bringing an intern to your organization? Contact Nina Lupo, CTE Partnerships & Choice Program Lead, at nina.lupo@vansd.org or 360-313-1355.
