About PROMISE

PROMISE is an internship program designed to provide professional, managerial, or technical paid work experience in state agencies for Oregon State University students. The program's purpose is to increase the potential pool of applicants currently under-represented in state agencies. Student of color are encouraged to participate in our program.

PROMISE History

The Office of Human Resources at Oregon State University established PROMISE in 1992 in an effort to attract its own students of color to employment at the University, as well as state government.

"While it's true that PROMISE provides invaluable opportunities for students, I think the sponsoring units gain as much, if not more, form the interactions with student interns" (Dr. Stephanie Sanford, Program Coordinator - CWEST).

PROMISE Mission and Goals

• To engage students at a critical stage in their career planning, while providing them with a unique opportunity to gain professional job experience,
• To recruit and retain people of color in State of Oregon employment,
• To have interns gain the professional, managerial or technical skills and experience necessary to become valuable assets to their employers,
• To emphasize networking throughout one's career,
• To encourage career and industry exploration and job search strategies.

"As a whole, PROMISE has been a great program that has given me the opportunity to develop into the working world and network with my fellow students, factulty, and staff." (Ayeesha Herrington, PROMISE Intern '04).

PROMISE Successes

• Over 180 students have participated in the PROMISE program
• Many departments continue to maintain contact with interns for future employment
• Former interns have secured positions in state agencies upon graduation
• University departments and state agencies attest to the value of working with students from diverse backgrounds
• PROMISE interns experience diversity and diversity awareness in the workplace.

"PROMISE has given me an idea of what the "real world" is like and opened a door of opportunity in working for the state" (Duy Nguyen, PROMISE Intern '00).

PROMISE Program Components

• Perform a professional project requiring 40 hours/week for ten weeks
• Work during the summer under the direction of a sponsoring supervisor
• Participate in weekly luncheon forums and network groups, various workshops, and a one-day field trip experience with major agency heads in Salem
• Present a poster at the annual PROMISE Poster Galleria and Recognition Banquet that exhibits the project and the achieved outcomes

"The PROMISE program has allowed me the opportunity to assist in meaningful and professional projects for State of Oregon agencies that will be used for years to come" (Delia Ramirez-Ponce, PROMISE Intern '97 '98 '99 '00).

• Links of interest

PROMISE Internship Program, Office of Community & Diversity
Oregon State University, 330 Snell Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-2132
Contact the PROMISE Program Administrator at (541) 737-4381 for assistance.