Career Development

Let’s Build A Partnership

At Willamette University, we connect organizations of all sizes - from startups to global companies, nonprofits to family-run businesses - with exceptional student talent.

We welcome all employers to share their opportunities with our students via CareerConnector, our job database/platform. We strive to provide a unique, tailored, and high touch experience for our employers to maximize their engagement and recruiting efforts with our students.

Become a Willamette Partner and experience all the Bearcat necessities:

Willamette Benefits

  • Reserved advertising spot on our Willamette Partners board in the Career Center
  • Your jobs featured on Recommended Employers Collection in CareerConnector
  • Curated events to directly engage with your target student audience
  • Tuition discounts for your employees for our Graduate Programs
  • Consultation support with Director of Employer Engagement to make your organization the employer of choice

Employer Engagement

  • Host at minimum 2 events throughout the school year
  • Facilitate recruitment of Willamette students through CareerConnector
  • Prioritize the review and consideration of Willamette student applicants
  • Participate in our Willamette Partner surveys for post event engagement and post recruitment

POSTING JOBS & INTERNSHIPS RECRUITING EVENTS

Why Willamette?

Founded in 1842, Willamette University has continued our tradition of providing an individualized, interdisciplinary education to prepare students for the future. Our motto - Non nobis solum nati sumus - Not unto ourselves alone are we born. Willamette students live and breathe this motto by continuing to apply their knowledge and move the missions of organizations forward.

Our undergraduate and graduate programs break boundaries between disciplines and career fields through hands-on academic experiences, commitment to mentorship, and vibrant opportunities for personal growth. Through nationally distinctive programs connecting liberal education to professional practice, Willamette University prepares students to turn knowledge into action and lead lives of achievement, contribution, and meaning.

Partner with us, and the following schools in our University community:

Why Our Students

  • We take an interdisciplinary, interconnected approach to education. Regardless of major or career path chosen, our liberal arts foundation builds the critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and collaboration skills employers seek.
  • Students are well versed due to our career-relevant coursework, hands-on learning experiences, professional development opportunities, and access to faculty from across academic disciplines.
  • Curriculum embedded with career development prepares our students to work at your organizations and be productive from the start.

Student Highlights

We’re proud of our high-performing, research-driven students and young alumni who’ve earned these prestigious national awards:

  • 25 Fulbright Scholars
  • 13 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships
  • 13 Gilman International Scholarships
  • Four Goldwater Scholarships
  • Three Truman Scholarships
  • Two Udall Scholarships
Leilani Luu

Leilani Luu

(she/her)
Major: Graphic Design & Business
Organization: Reliable Pet Solutions
Title: Social Media Marketing

Soren Joray

Soren Joray

(he/him)
Major: Illustration
Organization: Dark Horse Comics
Title: Editorial Intern

Davis Bashungwa

Davis Bashungwa

(he/him)
Major: Intermedia
Organization: Seattle Art Museum
Title: Emerging Arts Leader, Summer Public Programs

D'Ante Dean

D'Ante Dean

(he/him)
Major/Minor: Computer Science & Data Science
Organization: Personal Project / Independent Development
Title: Full-Stack Developer

Emilee Cirbo

Emilee Cirbo

(she/her)
Majors: Archaeology & Art History
Minors: Environmental Science & Classical Studies
Organization: Hallie Ford Museum of Art
Title: Collections Assistant

Zoe Place

Zoe Place

(she/her)
Major: Economics
Minor: Spanish
Organization: International Institute for Analytics
Title: Client Engagement Coordinator
Serenna Walter

Serenna Walter

(she/her)
Major/Minor: MS Data Science, BS Data Science & Environmental Science
Organization: Jostens
Title: Data Science Intern
Sophia Rabbanian

Sophia Rabbanian

(she/her)
Major/Minor: Data Science / Economics
Organization: Financial Beginnings
Title: Data Analytics Intern

Employer Testimonials

  • We are proud to partner with Willamette University. They are exceptionally dedicated to the success of their talented students and finding opportunities for them to thrive.

    —  Nathan Garr, Training & Development Specialist, Pacific Seafood

  • I thoroughly enjoyed working with my talented PNCA intern and the process of working with the Willamette University internship office was simple and well organized.

    — Joanna Priestley, Owner/Filmmaker, Priestley Motion Pictures

  • “Working with Willamette’s internship program was a great experience for our organization. Brooke brought a fresh perspective, a willingness to learn, and made meaningful contributions to real projects within our business. It was rewarding to not only have her support our team, but to also provide hands-on experiences that helped her grow professionally. We’re grateful for the partnership and look forward to continuing to work with Willamette and future interns.”

    — Albert Ramon Jr., Co-Founder, Rhythm & Flow

  • “Stella Puckett truly embodies Willamette University's commitment to turning knowledge into action, and it's exactly what we've experienced through her internship with ATG Construction Services over the past two summers.

    Stella joined our team with a strong academic foundation, but what has truly set her apart is her ability to transform what she learns into meaningful contributions. From day one, she demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to take on new challenges. Rather than simply observing, Stella immersed herself in the work, asked thoughtful questions, and consistently looked for ways to add value. Whether collaborating on projects, supporting administrative operations, or finding solutions to day-to-day challenges, she has exemplified the kind of adaptability and critical thinking that employers hope to see in emerging professionals.

    What stands out most is Stella's ability to bridge the gap between classroom concepts and workplace application. Her growth over the past two summers has been remarkable, and she has become a trusted and valued member of our team. Stella's internship experience is a testament to the power of experiential learning and the impact of programs that give students opportunities to put their knowledge into practice.

    We are grateful for Stella's contributions and proud to have played a small role in her professional journey.”

    — Caren Seal, Vice President and Director of Human Resources, ATG Construction Services

  • “I had a great experience with my Willamette interns this summer. It is a great opportunity to give back and provide a learning experience and real life experience to these students, but honestly they give us back so much more. They were all very engaged, insightful, curious, and eager to help in any way possible. They were all respectful and courteous to patients and developed a strong rapport with the patients that they got to see over the summer. A highlight for me was one of my patients inviting our interns over to his house for dinner with him and his wife because he enjoyed working with them so much and wanted to thank them for everything. To make this kind of an impact on someone is truly very special and is a testament to the students and people that we have coming from Willamette.”

     – Mason Fessler, Regional Director of Operations / Physical Therapist, Northwest Rehabilitation Associates

  • “Hosting interns has been a rewarding experience for our team. While each intern had to learn what it means to work in a professional environment, they approached the opportunity with enthusiasm and a genuine desire to grow. It has been an honor to help prepare them for the workforce, and we're especially proud that two of our three interns were hired into part-time positions at Salem for Refugees after completing their internships.”

    – Emile A. Assaly, Employment and Housing Assistant Director, Salem for Refugees 

  • Jordyn consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, initiative, and a genuine commitment to learning throughout her internship. She applied herself fully to every assignment, took ownership and leadership of their group Capstone project, and delivered high-quality results. Beyond her project work, she embraced the HSFCU culture by building positive relationships, actively engaging with the team, and exemplifying our values in her daily interactions. Her enthusiasm, professionalism, and willingness to go above and beyond made her a standout intern and a valuable contributor to the Internship Program and our Operations Division.

    — Genesis Nicklaw, FCU SVP, Operations, Hawaii State

  • Lydia was a productive member of our small non-profit team over the summer and contributed to many of our successful programs. She was professional and outgoing and was interested in learning more about non-profit culture, tribal relationships, salmon restoration, and how to communicate and interact with elected officials.

    — Lance Winecka, Executive Director, South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group