Discover Career Pathways: Days Off Program for High School Students

Upcoming Days Off!

Select from the following:

Careers in Inclusive Services! Days Off @ Columbia Regional Inclusive Services

Explore a world of Inclusive Services that far too often get overlooked! Columbia Regional Inclusive Services provides support for a wide variety of students and educators in Oregon, including Blind and Low Vision students, students with motor impairments, Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, and students on the Autism Spectrum.

This Days Off event is perfect for any student curious about education, equity, disability advocacy, assistive technology, working with their hands, and supporting their community.

Date: 3/20/26
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Address: Columbia Regional Inclusive Services, 833 NE 74th Ave, Portland, OR 97213
Districts off: David Douglas, Evergreen, Reynolds

Careers in Food Science! Days Off @ Food Innovation Center

Ever wonder how ice cream makers at Tillamook create new flavors for mass distribution? Or how scientists ensure the food we buy at the grocery store is safe to eat?

This spring break, take your taste buds on a journey as you learn all about the science and creativity behind the food that fuels you.

Oregon State University’s Food Innovation Center (FIC) supports the PNW’s thriving food and beverage industry as a hub for research, testing, and education. On this Day Off! Food Scientists from FIC and Tillamook will cover everything from cutting edge microbiology research that keeps our food safe from pathogens, to cutting tubs of ice cream to assess the final product before it hits the freezers.

On this Day Off! Students will:

Learn from experts about safety and sustainability in the food industry.
Use cheese science to craft the perfect grilled cheese sandwich.
Step into the role of professional ice cream testers.

Date: 3/26/26
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Address: 1207 NW Naito Pkwy # 154, Portland, OR 97209
Districts off: All Oregon districts (spring break)

Days Off @ Weir!

Ever wonder what makes your smart phone so smart? Or what powers eco-friendly electric vehicles? If you said metals and minerals from the earth, you’re right! As the desire for clean technology grows, how can we deliver the metals we need while reducing the industry’s footprint?

Experience how industry-leading Weir helps the world’s essential sectors, particularly mining, operate more sustainably and efficiently – from right here in Portland. Participate in virtual reality simulations, learn about the advanced tools that engineers use to design new products, and tour a real foundry operation. Meet the engineers, metallurgists and tradespeople who create innovative products and technologies that are helping mining scale up and clean up for a low-carbon future.

Bonus: Students will participate in a hands-on metal casting activity to create their own keychain.

Date: 4/6/26
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Address: 631 NW Thurman Street, Portland, OR 97209
Districts off: BSD, PPS, spring break for Washington

What would it be like to have a job in an industry you are passionate about?

Join Saturday Academy, in this new initiative for 9-12 grade students, to hang with your peers and expand your world! Make the most of those days off from school by getting an inside look at the state’s leading STEAM-driven organizations.

Expand your world! Learn on the job with STEAM professionals! Meet your peers!

The Days Off Program is designed to provide students with a unique view of the inner workings and diverse career paths possible at host sites as unique as the real world problems their organizations work to solve. Each Day Off will visit a different local organization to explore career pathways and useful skills in that industry. Build a community of professional contacts via career panels, tours, and workshops, and have fun all while getting to know peers with shared interests.

Lunch included. Scholarships available!

Previous Days Off!

Select from the following:

Days OFF! Career Pathways in Higher Education @ Portland State University

Colleges and universities are bustling ecosystems with countless career paths, from being a Principle Investigator of a research lab, to working in Student Health, College Administration, or Student Employment, there is an expansive world of opportunities at every university. In this Days Off! program hosted by Portland State University, high school students will go beyond a typical campus tour, exploring what it means to work at a university!

Participants will go behind the scenes in some of the world’s most innovative research labs and meet a lively variety of university staff. Amidst the hustle and bustle of university life, we'll also celebrate World Mental Health Day with a special stress management activity.

This experience is perfect for any student curious about attending college, working in research, teaching, or any of the wide range of social work positions available at a university.

Date: 10/10/25
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Address: 1930 SW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97201
Districts off: All Oregon Public Schools & Vancouver Public Schools

Registration Closed

Days Off! Careers in Biomedical Research @ OHSU Oregon National Primate Research Center

Experience the cutting edge research at the Oregon National Primate Research Center! ONPRC's research helps us understand, prevent, and treat human disease. Learn all about careers in biomedical research from experts in reproductive biology, the science of aging, alcohol and drug use disorders, and infectious diseases. This special experience will give students an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes with the primate populations that make it all possible!

Bonus: this is one of our host sites for Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering. Attendees will learn more about this opportunity and get tips for their applications!

Districts off: Beaverton, Camas, David Douglas, Evergreen, Jesuit, Portland, Reynolds, Vancouver

Registration Closed

Careers in Automotive Technology | Days Off! @ Jaguar Land Rover

At JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) Portland, experts in engineering and user experience (UX) collaborate to create the optimal driving experience. Modern vehicles such as Range Rovers utilize a variety of screens from the central touchscreen, to the speed projection on the windshield, and even your mobile phone. The JLR Portland team focuses on designing and defining what these screens can do to enhance the driving experience.

In this exclusive visit to JLR’s beautiful new Portland office, students will get hands-on experience in conducting UX research to identify a problem, designing and presenting solutions, and using hardware and software engineering skills to turn ideas into functional solutions. And a visit to JLR would not be complete without a visit to their in-house fleet of cars and going for a ride in their driving simulator. This Day Off will have something for everyone!

Date: January 27, 2026
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Address: 2638 NW Wilson St, Portland, OR 97210
Districts off: BSD, PPS

Registration Closed

Careers in Film! Days Off @ Hollywood Theatre

Join us for a frame-by-frame exploration of the Film Industry in Portland! Meet with professionals from all stages of the filmmaking process, and participate in hands-on workshops featuring Graphic Design in films and the Documentary Filmmaking Process.

Students will:

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Hollywood Theatre, including the projection room
Participate in a workshop focused on Graphic Design in Film
Attend a career panel with professional filmmakers including Neil Kopp from Filmscience, Katy Gilmore from Aesthetica Post, Corrine Ashley from Legit Locations, Ted Hurliman from Hollywood Theatre, and Evan Finch from Saturday Academy.

This Days Off event is ideal for any student interested in creative storytelling, filmmaking technology, and local film production.

Date: 1/30/26
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Address: 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97212
Districts off: Centennial, Gresham-Sam Barlow, Hillsboro, Jesuit, Lake Oswego, N. Clackamas, Oregon City, Tigard-Tualatin

Partners: Hollywood Theatre, Aesthetica

Registration Closed