In Mountainside’s College and Career Center, we believe that Opportunities Are Everywhere.
- Opportunities to connect with others in our school, our community and beyond;
- Opportunities to be curious about the world around us and explore our strengths;
- Opportunities to learn new skills and pursue our goals.
We want to help you find your opportunities.
Each week we will host a variety of events in the College and Career Center to help students learn about a variety of post-high school opportunities, various careers and the world of work. Click here to see the schedule of events happening in the College and Career Center this week.
Also, both in our College and Career Center and on this website, you will find more detailed information about:
For more information about Apprenticeships, Career Related Learning Experiences, Internships, Job Seeking information and more, please scroll down. To learn more about Continuing Education Information, like planning to go to college, please visit our College page.
Each week we will host a variety of events in the College and Career Center to help students learn about a variety of post-high school opportunities, various careers and the world of work. Click here to see the schedule of events happening in the College and Career Center this week.
Also, both in our College and Career Center and on this website, you will find more detailed information about:
- Continuing Education Options
- Testing Information
- Post-High School Options
- Career Exploration Information
- Job Seeking Information
- Summer Opportunities
For more information about Apprenticeships, Career Related Learning Experiences, Internships, Job Seeking information and more, please scroll down. To learn more about Continuing Education Information, like planning to go to college, please visit our College page.
Career Related Learning Experiences
One of the key activities of high school is exploring the range of careers that are available to students after graduation. To support students in this exploration process, they are required to complete four Career Related Learning Experiences (CRLEs) prior to graduation. CRLEs can be:
Once you have completed a CRLE, be sure to fill out the CRLE form and submit it to Mrs. O'Quinn in the Counseling Office so that it can be counted towards the CRLE requirement.
CRLE opportunities will be offered at Mountainside; but some students may want to find other opportunities. Here are some other opportunities that might be right for you:
Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce Career Day Events
- completing a job application
- completing a practice job application at Mountainside
- completing a job interview
- completing a mock interview at Mountainside
- attending a Career Fair,
- attending a Career Event through Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce (etc.)
- listening to a guest speaker,
- completing an internship,
- completing a job shadow,
- completing an informational interview,
- and so much more!
Once you have completed a CRLE, be sure to fill out the CRLE form and submit it to Mrs. O'Quinn in the Counseling Office so that it can be counted towards the CRLE requirement.
CRLE opportunities will be offered at Mountainside; but some students may want to find other opportunities. Here are some other opportunities that might be right for you:
Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce Career Day Events
Job Seeking Information
Finding your first job can be a little daunting. The US Department of Labor has a website called Career OneStop: Get My Future, and it has great advice for students about where and how to search for jobs, getting working experience and being prepared for the application and interview process. Click on these links to learn more:
In general, there are three main ways to find and apply for jobs: online, in person and by networking. See below for more information about all of these:
Finding Jobs Online
When looking for jobs online, it is important to know what you are looking for in advance, because the amount of information can be overwhelming. It is helpful to have a general idea of what type of job you want to do, of how near or far from home you could travel to a job, and what type of hours you want to work.
When looking for jobs online, you can either look at "job finding sites" or at the websites for a specific business or company. Either source can have good information. One key tip though is that if you find an ad on a job finding site saying a certain company has job openings, it is important to verify the information independently. For example, if you find an ad on a job finding site saying that the local coffee shop is hiring baristas, we recommend you either call the coffee shop to confirm this information, or verify it by looking on the coffee shop's own website.
We have listed a few websites below that might be helpful for students when looking for jobs. Please note: we are providing these links for the convenience of families. Mountainside does not provide any screening of these sites or businesses. Families should do their own research and determine for themselves whether the opportunities are suitable and appropriate for their children.
Job flyers from local business are also posted in the College and Career Center. Please note: the Beaverton School District does not sponsor nor endorse the activities and/or information in community flyers.
Finding Jobs In Person
One of the best ways to find a job can be by visiting businesses in person. It allows you to make a positive first impression and can bring the information on your application or resume to life. You become more than just information on a page, you are a person with initiative who could contribute to the business! Here are some tips from Career OneStop and our College and Career Center staff for this process:
Finding Jobs Through Networking
Have you ever heard the phrase: "it's not what you know, it's who you know"? This phrase reflects the fact that one way to find a job is by talking to people in the working world who can give you suggestions and input. This can especially be true when you are applying for your first job, because you may not have a lot of experience or job-specific skills to rely on in an application. Here are some tips from Career OneStop about the networking process:
Finding Jobs Online
When looking for jobs online, it is important to know what you are looking for in advance, because the amount of information can be overwhelming. It is helpful to have a general idea of what type of job you want to do, of how near or far from home you could travel to a job, and what type of hours you want to work.
When looking for jobs online, you can either look at "job finding sites" or at the websites for a specific business or company. Either source can have good information. One key tip though is that if you find an ad on a job finding site saying a certain company has job openings, it is important to verify the information independently. For example, if you find an ad on a job finding site saying that the local coffee shop is hiring baristas, we recommend you either call the coffee shop to confirm this information, or verify it by looking on the coffee shop's own website.
We have listed a few websites below that might be helpful for students when looking for jobs. Please note: we are providing these links for the convenience of families. Mountainside does not provide any screening of these sites or businesses. Families should do their own research and determine for themselves whether the opportunities are suitable and appropriate for their children.
Job flyers from local business are also posted in the College and Career Center. Please note: the Beaverton School District does not sponsor nor endorse the activities and/or information in community flyers.
Finding Jobs In Person
One of the best ways to find a job can be by visiting businesses in person. It allows you to make a positive first impression and can bring the information on your application or resume to life. You become more than just information on a page, you are a person with initiative who could contribute to the business! Here are some tips from Career OneStop and our College and Career Center staff for this process:
- Prepare a resume in advance and take it with you. Remember that you can include volunteer experience on a resume. So, even if you haven't had a paid position before, you may have experience you can list on a resume!
- Dress professionally.
- Look up the hours of operation for the business, and go in as early as you can. For example: if the business opens at 8:00 AM, be there by 8:30 AM.
- Be polite and respectful to everyone you meet. You never know who has input into the hiring process!
- Look up facts about the business online in advance if possible.
- When you arrive, introduce yourself to an employee and state that you are wondering whether they are hiring new employees at this time. Be prepared for a few possible outcomes:
- They may say no. If they say no, ask if you can leave a resume.
- They may say yes, and ask you to fill out an application. If possible, stay and fill out the application right then, or if the application is online, fill it out online the same day.
- They may say yes, but state that you need to talk to a manager. If possible, wait and talk with the manager right then. If that is not possible, ask what would be the best way to get in touch with the manager and then follow up with whatever process they tell you would be best.
Finding Jobs Through Networking
Have you ever heard the phrase: "it's not what you know, it's who you know"? This phrase reflects the fact that one way to find a job is by talking to people in the working world who can give you suggestions and input. This can especially be true when you are applying for your first job, because you may not have a lot of experience or job-specific skills to rely on in an application. Here are some tips from Career OneStop about the networking process:
- Talk with friends, family, teachers, neighbors, coaches, mentors, and volunteer supervisors.
- Start the conversation by explaining you are thinking about looking for a job and want to get their advice on the job search process.
- Ask questions like:
- Do you have suggestions for me about finding a job?
- What do advice do you have about filling out job applications?
- What was your first job? How did you get that?
- Are you aware of any local job openings? If not, can you think of someone who might be?
- Follow up with a thank you note or email (not a text message).
- If the person you talk to gives you the name of someone else to talk to about job openings, this is called a "referral". For any referrals, make sure to follow through and talk to that person! Also, when you contact that person, make sure to tell them who referred you to them. Here is an example of how this would work:
- Your neighbor tells you that their friend is a business manager and is hiring employees for their business. The neighbor gives you the manager's name and contact information. Your neighbor also offers to tell the manager you will be contacting them.
- You should follow up and call/contact that manager within 1-2 days.
- When you call/contact that manager, explain that you were referred to them by your neighbor and you want to ask about any job openings they might have at this time.
- If you are contacting the manager by phone, be prepared for that phone call by looking up the business in advance, checking the hours of operation so that you call during business hours, and being able to talk about why you want to work there or how you would be a good employee (such as you are responsible, and get to appointments on time).