Port's High School Intern Program Celebrates 10th Year

Charles P. Huey High School Intern Program Helps Build Life and Work Skills

The Port of Seattle's acclaimed community outreach program offering economically disadvantaged young people and teens of color opportunities to build reliable work and life skills celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Since its inception, the Charles P. Huey High School Intern Program has brought approximately 150 high school students from throughout King County to the Port where they have learned about the business world and the importance of international trade to our region. The program has also proven to be an excellent source of qualified employees, according to Daniel Feetham, program coordinator.

"We target community-based organizations that serve either economically disadvantaged groups or those groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the workforce to provide us with candidates," Feetham said. "At least three former interns have completed the program and have returned to work at the Port of Seattle as full-time employees, and many others have expressed an interest in trade or international affairs."

This year there are 14 interns in the program ranging in age from 16 to 18 years old. Each intern works 37.5 hours per week and is paid $7.10 per hour for the eight-week internship. In addition to their regular work, interns also participate in weekly skill-building workshops on such topics as time management, goal setting, and public speaking.

"This program has a great deal of value for both the Port and the community as a whole," said Port Executive Director M.R. Dinsmore. "This creates a connection from school to work and helps young students realize what great career opportunities exist in the trade and transportation sectors. This is an outstanding example of the Port's commitment to making our community a better place."

The program's namesake, Charles P. Huey, was general services manager for the Port and an active supporter of the community's youth. He served as chairman of the Washington State Human Rights Commission and participated in several other local service organizations. He died in 1994.