Local educators explore cutting-edge careers through PCC externships
Story By Misty Bouse. Submitted photos.
High school teachers learned about high-tech approaches used by the Multimedia Program.
Last month, Portland Community College campuses were abuzz as more than 70 high school teachers, administrators and counselors from three counties took part in paid educator externships.
These hands-on experiences, developed through collaborations between PCC, the Portland Area Career Technical Education Consortium (PACTEC), Northwest Regional Education Service District and the Portland Metro STEM Partnership, offered participants insights into high-demand career fields that they can share with their students.
Eight externship opportunities were provided, allowing educators to explore fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, natural resource careers, bioscience, architecture/construction, civil engineering, forestry and multimedia/audio-visual technology. The goal of the program was to equip teachers with firsthand experience in career technical education (CTE) and STEM fields, ensuring they can guide students towards future career paths.
“These externships provide educators with insights they can take back to their classrooms,” said Naomi Brown, a career connected learning navigator at the college. “They’re able to give students a clearer understanding of what careers in these fields actually entail and how to prepare for them.”
Teachers tour PCC’s biology lab at Rock Creek.
Real-World Experience
At the manufacturing externship, PCC’s College and Career Prep team welcomed teachers, administrators and counselors from Washington County to PCC’s Willow Creek Opportunity Center. They learned about career-development classes available at no cost, focusing on advanced manufacturing and semiconductor technologies.
Educators also delved into the Microelectronics Technology Program, discovering its requirements and learning what makes an ideal student candidate. To give them a hands-on feel, instructors from the Quick Start class demonstrated how vacuum force affects objects, such as marshmallows and balloons.
Additionally, participants explored electrical circuits with the Semiconductor Essentials Training Program, engaging in an interactive activity to create a mini-circuit that lights up LEDs at the push of a button.
Cutting-Edge Careers
Creating molds in the dental lab at the Vanport Building.
In the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) externship, teachers and counselors were introduced to geospatial technologies, including remote sensing and surveying. They explored PCC’s GIS Program, which offers project-based, collaborative learning opportunities focused on in-field applications. With a projected 34% increase in job opportunities for GIS-skilled workers in the Portland area by 2027, this externship gave educators a clear sense of the career opportunities awaiting their students.
These externships aren’t just limited to learning technical skills. Educators also built valuable connections with industry partners, enhancing their professional networks and deepening their understanding of the career landscape. Brown emphasized the long-term benefits, noting that teachers now have the language and knowledge to guide students more effectively.
“By attending the externships, they return to their schools more aware and equipped to shape their curriculums with real-world applications,” she said.
New Skills For The Classroom
Learning semiconductor skills at Willow Creek.
Brown said these externships are crucial for educators from Columbia, Washington and Multnomah counties, providing them with insights that will enrich their teaching. Whether it’s clean water management or innovative healthcare technologies, she said teachers now have a wealth of knowledge to inspire their students and better prepare them for in-demand careers.
As Brown shared, one teacher noted how the externship experience would influence their school’s science fair, environmental clubs and service projects. Others expressed excitement about introducing new ideas for research projects and community engagement. This direct experience ensures that educators return to their classrooms with updated knowledge and a renewed passion for teaching.
Brown concluded that by offering hands-on externships in these dynamic fields, PCC and its partners are helping educators play a vital role in preparing students for the future workforce.