Cultivating Tomorrow's Leaders in Public Service
Hillsboro knows that great cities grow and thrive when they invest in developing the next generation of public leaders. That's why the City of Hillsboro is committed to being an innovator in youth development - providing meaningful growth opportunities through a variety of personal and professional development programs that encourage career exploration in public service. Creative collaboration with the Hillsboro School District, the Chamber of Commerce and local colleges help the City grow tomorrow's leaders.

Internship Program
The City of Hillsboro Internship Program is committed to giving young people the unique opportunity for meaningful career exploration in public service. Whether it's working at an event side-by-side with a police officer or digging in to help on a habitat restoration project, our interns do a whole lot more than file and make coffee.

• Read the inspiring story of City of Hillsboro intern Frida Zavala, the first in our series of stories on Hillsboro's Homegrown Talent.
• Meet Anisha Datta and her brother, Ashwin Datta, and learn about the lessons their parents shared in helping them discover education is everywhere.
  

Hillsboro Fellowship Program
Our Fellowship Program is designed for graduates of a master's program in Pubic Administration, Public Policy, Public Affairs, or a related field, with a strong commitment to public service and leadership. Selected fellows are placed in a year long, full-time local government position, shaped by government leaders and rotational assignments in various City departments. Each position includes meaningful opportunities to explore different career options, make an impact in the Hillsboro community, and be a highly valued part of the City of Hillsboro team.

Youth Invasion & Interviewniversity
Each year, the City opens its doors to hundreds of Hillsboro School District students for the Youth Invasion and Interviewniversity events. During Youth Invasion, students invade the Hillsboro Civic Center for a fun day of hands-on learning about more than 25 different careers in local government. City staff collaborate to incorporate interactive activities, question and answer sessions, and fun presentations.

Interviewniversity is an in-depth career development event designed to help students develop job application, interview, and resume writing skills.

Youth Advisory Council
Students from Hillsboro high schools join forces in the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) to get involved in local government and discover the importance of community leadership. Members of the council are dedicated to serving and improving their community by planning inclusive activities, appreciating diversity, and advocating for the youth voice on important issues. YAC members serve on a variety of City boards and committees including the Hillsboro 2035 Plan Committee and Sustainability Task Force.

Classroom Connections
The City has a strong partnership with the Hillsboro School District and is excited about connecting with teachers to expand educational opportunities for students. From 3rd grade students learning about government at the Civic Center to 10th grade students getting CPR training from the Fire Department, the City works closely with teachers to provide experiential learning. These opportunities align with the Hillsboro School District's Career and College Pathways program and meets learning outcomes - both in and outside of the classroom.

Higher Education Partnerships
Partnerships with higher education entities are an important component of a comprehensive and robust youth development program. By funding selected Hillsboro students in the Portland Community College Future Connect Program, the City helps to create a pathway from high school to college for first-generation and low-income students, and provides professional development opportunities. The City also partners with local colleges to host work-study positions each year, City staff attend annual work and service fairs, and the City provides internships for specialized programs in higher education. 

Contact Us for More Information

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