After a successful inaugural year, the Portland Internship Experience is back with even more options for students to make a difference in the community over the summer.

The application is open through Friday, Feb. 18, for undergraduate students in any major to apply. Students accepted into the program will get the opportunity to apply at preselected internship sites in the Portland metro area. Employers will interview students, with a total of 50 students getting a 10-week internship between June and September.

Each intern receives a $5,000, philanthropically funded stipend from the University of Oregon, plus career and support services from university staff and the chance to connect with others in the program through team-building activities.

“We’ve found that a relatively small amount of support could make a big impact to both students and to small businesses and nonprofits in the Portland community,” said Jane Gordon, vice provost for UO Portland. “A quality internship can have a lasting effect on career readiness and build professional connections for students. Our internship sites were selected based on their commitment in areas such as social justice, community building, racial equity and economic recovery.

The program has grown by 60 percent with the addition of a variety of new sites, including Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians, Portland Gear, Stone Soup PDX and WorldOregon.

Some sites like Produce Portland, Schoolhouse Supplies, Portland Tennis & Education, Latino Network and GladRags are returning for a second year.

“I would recommend the Portland Internship Experience to other students because it provides a chance to foster connections to the greater Portland area and grow as an individual without it feeling daunting,” said Bryn Callie, who is studying environmental science and anthropology at the UO and interned at Simple X last summer. “Even as you start to work at your unique site, you know that you have a team of other interns and UO staff supporting you.”

To find out more about the Portland Internship Experience, visit the UO Internships and Summer Jobs Fair from 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at the Erb Memorial Union. Students who participated last year, as well as UO staff, will be at the fair to talk about the program. Or sign up for a virtual information session from 3-4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11.