Who can apply for an internship?
In order to be eligible for the program, you must plan to return to the University of Oregon as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student in the Fall of 2026; be in good academic standing and in all ways be eligible to return in the Fall of 2026; and, be able to commit up to 40 hours per week between June 25 and September 5, 2025.
Can I apply for an internship if I was not selected last year?
Yes, you are encouraged to apply again if you were not previously offered an internship position. We recommend you revisit your application, resume, and cover letters prior to submitting an application.
Can I apply for an internship if I have previously been a PIE intern?
We will not accept applications from past PIE interns at this time. This policy ensures that as many students as possible have the opportunity to receive a stipend to participate in a meaningful internship.
What criteria will be used to select program participants?
We will consider your interest and commitment to engaging in work for equity, diversity, and inclusion; your ability to take initiative; and whether your professional goals and interests align with the internship opportunities available through the program. The application has several essay questions that you will be asked to answer to help us learn about you.
Is there a GPA requirement to be part of the program?
No, the application does not ask for your GPA, nor will this measure be used to assess your qualification for the program. However, you must be in good standing to participate.
Can international and DACA students apply?
Yes, both international students and DACA students are eligible and encouraged to apply. Interns will not need to provide a social security number, IT number or work authorization number to apply to PIE. In the 2nd round, students apply directly to internship sites. Sites that require background checks or other identification requirements will be clearly marked so students can choose to apply to sites they are comfortable with.
Is this a paid internship?
PIE internships are unpaid internships, meaning that the placement site does not pay you directly. However, the university will provide each PIE intern a $7,000 stipend for the summer. Students will sign an agreement acknowledging that the acceptance of the stipend requires engaged participation in the internship for its duration, or the stipend will need to be returned.
How will I receive my stipend?
This stipend is dispensed through the Financial Aid and Billing Offices. If there are outstanding balances on your student account, your stipend may be applied to cover them. To avoid surprises, contact the Billing Office.
Stipends will come as either a check or as a direct deposit to your bank account. Be sure to update your mailing address and/or set up direct deposit through DuckWeb to ensure you receive your stipend promptly. Click here for instructions.
Will a stipend affect my ability to receive financial aid?
Stipends impact each student’s aid package differently. If you are enrolled in summer courses, for example, this stipend could potentially impact your financial aid. Please contact your financial aid counselor early to discuss questions or concerns, and to ensure you understand the impact of the stipend on your financial aid.
When will I receive the stipend?
You will receive the stipend by the start of your internship in June.
Is the stipend taxable?
Typically stipends are considered to be taxable, but consult with a tax expert to get the best information about your situation.
Can I earn course credit for this internship?
The Portland Internship Experience program does not grant credit directly. However, PIE interns will be eligible for participation in the summer UGST 404 Internship course. If you are interested in receiving credit, you will need to initiate enrollment in the internship course on your own. For more information visit: https://career.uoregon.edu/internshipcredit. The course is filled on a first come first-served basis. Enrollment in summer courses can affect your financial aid. Please contact your financial aid counselor to discuss.
How many students will be selected?
There will be approximately 30-40 internships this summer 2025.
Do I need to be located in Portland to perform an internship?
Almost all of the opportunities will require interns to be in Portland, while just a few internships are designed to be remote. It will be clear on the internship posting whether a position is eligible for remote work. Do note that participants are required to attend a 3-day orientation in-person at the UO Portland campus from June 25-27. The program will also host professional and social events and experiences in Portland throughout the summer.
What is the expected length of the internship?
The Portland Internship Experience runs from June 25 – September 5. Our mandatory orientation from June 25-27 takes place at the UO Portland campus. Interns begin their experience on site on June 30 and work with their host site for 10 weeks through September 5.
How many hours will each intern work each week?
These are generally full-time, which means interns will work 30-40 hours/week. Internships with shorter work weeks (minimum 30 hours) will be identified in the job description. Over the course of the program, interns will be expected to complete several written reflections and one final creative project on their own time.
How does the selection process work?
The Portland Internship Experience (PIE) program has a three-stage selection process.
Stage 1: Apply for the PIE Program
Submit a preliminary application by the deadline: Sunday, February 9 at 11:59pm PST.
A committee of UO personnel will review preliminary applications to determine if your application meets the criteria to gain access to Stage 2: The PIE Internship Portal. All applicants will receive notice.
Stage 2: Apply for Internships via the PIE Internship Portal
The portal is the place where you will apply for the Portland Internship Experience internship(s) that interest you. These opportunities are only available to UO students who have made it through Stage 1. You may apply for as many internships as you would like by submitting your resume(s) and cover letter(s) in the portal. See the PIE website for more information about internship openings.
Those invited to Stage 2 will be offered support with writing their resumes and cover letters.
All portal applications are due by April 1. The application(s) you submit will be shared with the internship sites. The internship sites decide which applicants to interview. You may be contacted to interview for one or more internship opportunities.
Stage 3: Interview for Opportunities
Internship sites will reach out to the candidates they wish to interview between April 3 and April 18. Internship sites must make an offer to their top candidate by April 18.
If offered an internship, you have until 11:59pm on Monday, April 21 to accept or decline the opportunity. If you decide to accept an offer for an internship, you will officially become a Portland Internship Experience cohort member. PIE program staff will begin working with you to prepare for your summer in Portland.
When will I know if I have been chosen for one or more interviews?
Internship sites will reach out to top candidates for interviews between April 3 and April 18.
When will I be notified if I have been offered an internship?
Internship sites must make an offer to their top candidate by Friday, April 18. If a site does not match with their top candidate, they may make another offer after the 18th.
When do I need to accept or reject an internship offer?
If offered an internship, you have until end of day Monday, April 21 to accept or decline the opportunity.
If I am selected as an intern, will I receive assistance finding Portland housing?
Program staff will support interns who need help with the housing search process and can provide information about a variety of housing options. Interns are invited to find their own housing with friends, family, and by doing their own research. PIE interns have the opportunity to live in on-campus housing at the UO Portland campus.
If I am selected as an intern, and accept the offer, how will the UO help ensure a successful experience?
Each internship site is offering meaningful work and an educational experience. Throughout the summer, interns will have access to UO Portland’s staff and support should any issues arise during the course of the internship. Additionally, the entire PIE cohort will have the opportunity to gather for social events and professional development opportunities as well as meet virtually to reflect on their internship experience and to discuss progress and other challenges.
If I am selected as an intern, and accept the offer, what will be expected of me?
Internships are learning experiences and our program curriculum is designed to help you get the most out of your internship. As an intern you will be expected to engage with the program curriculum and with your internship site. This means attendance at your site and program gatherings, engagement in professional development opportunities, and completion of written/creative reflections. Each intern will sign an agreement that stipulates expectations before receiving their stipend. We do our best to meet interns where they are and support them to the end of the summer.
What are program activities, beyond the internship itself?
UO will provide a “Welcome to the City” internship orientation, and periodic summer professional experiences and social gatherings to enrich the experience and promote community among the cohort of interns. Each internship site has agreed that the intern working with them can have a total of 10 hours throughout the term of the internship to participate in Portland Internship Experience activities/events. UO Portland’s Office of Student Services will also be available to you for individual troubleshooting and support.
Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
Attend one of our three information sessions to learn more about the program and to ask questions you have. Sessions are scheduled for:
Wednesday, January 15 at 12pm
Thursday, January 23 at 3pm
Friday, January 31 at 4pm
Register here:
If you have an urgent question or can’t attend an information session, please send an email touopie@uoregon.edu, and we will respond promptly.