The McMinnville WORKS Summer Internship Program

The McMinnville WORKS Internship Program connects local businesses and organizations to talented young collegiate professionals through project-based internship opportunities. Internships are 9+ weeks, full-time, paid, and held during the summer. 

MEDP organizes the McMinnville WORKS Internship Program by identifying local businesses that want to host interns, advertising positions to colleges and young professionals, processing applications, and organizing summer professional development workshops for interns. 

Want to learn more about how the McMinnville WORKS Internship Program is structured? Check out this video created by past WORKS Intern, Mic Cooney. 

Want to learn more about the 2022 McMinnville WORKS standout data analytics project? Check out our video with interns from Swedemom Center of Giving!

Want to learn more about the 2020 McMinnville WORKS Summer Program ? Check out this video created by McMinnville WORKS Intern, Ivan Garo. 

Host an Intern

The application to become a Host Site for the Summer of 2023 is open. All McMinnville area businesses are welcome to apply to be a part of this award-winning nine-week summer internship program.

2023 Host Site Application is now OPEN

In 2023 MEDP is seeking Host Sites for two internship programs:  Spring - Career Bound and Summer - McMinnville WORKS, to learn more about each of these opportunities, check out this comparison chart.

Requirements to host an intern 

• Be able to hire an intern full-time at (at least) minimum wage for 9 weeks (mid-June through mid-August, varies by employer)
• Have an employee who is willing to mentor an intern
• Have the office/floor space to house an intern
• Allow the intern to participate as paid time in the weekly Professional Development Workshops (typically 2hrs, Wednesday mornings)
• Pay a small administration fee in order to be a part of the McMinnville WORKS program and receive 

MEDP takes care of...

• Marketing all the internship positions and host companies for recruitment
• Receiving and processing all applications based on your requested skill set
• Facilitating the WORKS program including the weekly Professional Development Workshops
• Creating marketing for the program utilizing the host sites and intern projects as part of our community's "grow our own workforce" initiative

The best internships are project-based and supply interns with real-world experience that helps shape their future career aspirations. If you have any questions or need any more information, please connect with us at Info@McMinnvilleBusiness.com.

If you are interested in hiring youth (aged 14-24) from Yamhill County for an entry-level position with career potential, please visit our Career Bound Program page. 

Resources:  MEDP Summer Internship Program FAQ and Host Site 101 Guide

Apply for an Internship

Applications to apply for the 2023 Summer McMinnville WORKS Internship Program is open until 5pm on March 1, 2023.

2023 Internship Application Now OPEN

The McMinnville WORKS Internship Program has positions available ranging from marketing and social media to mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering and beyond. This award-winning internship gives interns not only the opportunity to complete project-based internships, but to network with other companies, fellow peers, and learn professional skills from community leaders.

How a McMinnville WORKS Internship is different

• One application gets you connected to multiple companies around McMinnville
• During each week of the program, you'll learn professional development skills from community leaders and industry specialists
• Network with a group of peers who are also in the internship program
• Get connected with businesses around McMinnville through networking activities 
• Tour manufacturing facilities and business locations around McMinnville
• After your internship, you'll be considered a McMinnville WORKS alumni with lasting connections

The McMinnville WORKS Summer Internship Program:

• Full-time, paid internships
• averages 10+ Host Sites each year
• averages 10-20 Internship positions in a variety of disciplines
• The program begins mid-June and ends mid-August.
• Host sites may be flexible on dates of hire. Host Sites will receive applicants in March, schedule interviews, and will notify hired interns by May.

*We at MEDP also have an internship, the McMinnville WORKS Internship Program Coordinator. This is a project manager position that begins mid-May through mid-August.  If you are an organized, out-going self-starter and want to lead the Intern Cohort through a summer of fun, learning and networking, join us!

Curious what positions past interns held? Click here.
List of Summer 2020 Internship Opportunities 
List of Summer 2021 Internship Opportunities 

Example Internships: 2022 Internship Opportunities (as of 3.16.22)
(Accounting, Business, Biology Research, Computer Science, Communications, Data Analysis, Digital Forensics, Digital Marketing, Engineering - Civil & Electrical, Fabrication Tech, Event Coordination, Graphic Design, Grower Relations, Marketing, Program Coordinator, Research, Social Media Marketing, UX Design, Videography, Web Design)

Before you apply, make sure to read our 101-Guide to Searching for Jobs to learn best practices for your resume, cover letter, and interview. 

**Are you age 14-24, living in Yamhill County? 
Check out Career Bound, an entry-level internship program with career potential?  Visit our Career Bound Program Page.

Interested in exploring other McMinnville Area Business Job Openings?

Questions? Contact us at Info@McMinnvilleBusiness.com

History of the Program

The McMinnville WORKS Internship Program is an outgrowth of the highly successful Climax Portable Machining and Welding Systems' (Newberg, Oregon) internship program which launched back in 2008. The pilot of the official McMinnville WORKS Internship Program launched in 2013. Since the launch, the program has grown in host-sites, interns, and jobs offered at the end of the internship program. 

Want to learn where some of our alumni's journey has taken them after participating in the McMinnville WORKS program?  Enjoy this article by MEDP Internship Program Coordinator 2021, Christopher Nobles:  Where Are They Now?

McMinnville WORKS Internship Program Statistics

*2020 numbers reduced due to the onset of Covid-19, Original Host Sites offered 24 internship opportunities.

Since the beginning of the program, 40+ interns have had extended internships or been hired by a host site in the program.  

Award Winning

• 2014 - Oregon Economic Development Association Outstanding Partnership Award
• 2015 - Award for Business Education from the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce
• 2021 - IEDC International Economic Development Council Award for statewide program development Oregon WORKS based on this program.

General Calendar and Timeline: 

To see the most current updates, check the WORKS Calendar

Looking for more information? Give us a call at 503.474.6814