Jobs 253

Real Experience. Real Skills. Real Opportunity.

Jobs 253 connects Tacoma Public Schools high school students with hands-on, career-connected internship experiences at businesses and organizations throughout the Tacoma community.

Students gain professional skills, build their resumes, explore career pathways, and grow their networks while earning 0.5 CTE elective credit and a $500 stipend upon successful completion of program requirements.

How Jobs 253 Works:

1. Explore - Browse available Jobs 253 experiences in SchooLinks.
2. Apply - Submit your application directly through SchooLinks using your TPS student account.
3. Interview - Qualified students will be invited to interview directly with employer partners, who make final intern selections.
4. Complete - Complete your internship experience & learn alongside professionals, complete your assigned hours, and build valuable career skills. Complete and submit your required Jobs 253 documentation by your session deadline.
5. Earn - Students who successfully complete their internship experience and program requirements earn 0.5 elective credit and a $500 stipend.

view Current Jobs 253 Openings

Who Can Participate?

Jobs 253 is available to eligible Tacoma Public Schools high school students. Most experiences are available beginning at age 14, although individual opportunities may have additional age, schedule, or eligibility requirements.

To expand access to the program, students who have not previously completed a Jobs 253 experience may receive priority for available opportunities.

2026-2027 Jobs 253 Session Dates

Jobs 253 operates throughout the year in five sessions. Each internship must begin and end within the same session.

Session 1: September 9 – November 19
(Applications open August)
Session 2: November 30 – February 4
(Applications open October)
Session 3: February 17 - April 15
(Applications open January)

Session 4: April 26 - June 17
(Applications open March)

Session 5: July 6 - August 20 (Applications open May)

Read to find your internship experience?

Beginning with Session 2 recruitment in October, all Jobs 253 opportunities and applications are housed in SchooLinks.

TPS students must log in to SchooLinks through the Clever app to explore opportunities and apply.

SchooLinks provides students with one centralized Jobs 253 hub where they can:

Explore available internship opportunities
Apply directly to experiences
Create and maintain a resume
Manage career and college planning in one place
Take greater ownership of their internship search and application process

Click below for the step-by-step student guide on how to apply via SchooLinks!

Jobs 253 SchooLinks Instructions

Student & Family Information

Below you’ll find more information about our program, stipend requirements, upload portals, and other helpful resources to guide students and families through the Jobs 253 experience.

Stipend Requirements & Form Upload

Students must complete and upload the following documents via the upload links listed below to qualify for their credit and stipend at the end of their experience:

1. Experience Reflection Form: Use our Jobs 253 Reflection Template to tell us how we are doing, what could be improved upon, and what skills you are walking away with from your Jobs 253 experience!
2. Resume: A well-crafted resume can help you stand out when applying for jobs, internships, or college applications. Check out our guide for creating a compelling resume
3. Everfi Financial Literacy Certificate: complete the EverFi Financial Literacy Course (you can locate the EverFi app through your Clever Portal) and upload the certificate of completion.

REFLECTION UPLOAD RESUME UPLOAD EVERFI UPLOAD

It is the student's responsibility to complete any requirements and upload documents appropriately. Failure to satisfy these requirements may impact their program eligibility. Students are limited to a maximum of three Jobs 253 experiences during their academic career.

To maximize your success in programming, it is imperative that students check their district-provided email account daily for critical updates, requirements, and communication from program supervisors.

What to Expect with Jobs 253

Jobs 253 provides Tacoma Public Schools high school students the chance to gain real-world work experience, mentorship and hands-on exposure, earn high school credit, and receive a $500 stipend for completing program requirements -- all while building skills that last a lifetime.

What You’ll Gain

.5 elective high school credit toward graduation
Up to a $500 academic completion bonus (funded by the City of Tacoma)
Work readiness skills: resume writing, interviewing, and professional habits
Confidence, growth, and career exploration

Important Notes

Students who haven’t yet completed a Jobs 253 experience are prioritized for placement.
Jobs 253 holds a limit of 3 of experiences or $1,500 accumulated stipend funds per student throughout their high school career.
Students must be logged in with their TPS district email for registration and document uploading.

Stipend Information & How to Complete a W-9

Jobs 253 stipends are funded and distributed by the City of Tacoma, which is why each student must complete a W-9 form before starting their experience.

Because the City issues payments directly to students, we strongly encourage students to open a free Student Gesa Credit Union account (in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools) to easily deposit their mailed check.

Stipends are processed based on the session schedule, when student requirements are completed, and when the experience concludes. Payments are typically issued 4–6 weeks after the experience ends and all requirements are met and completed successfully. This timeframe can be extended if information on student's W-9 is in need of correction.

Please see the video to learn how to correctly complete a W-9 form.

Employer Partner Information

Join Tacoma Public Schools in shaping the next generation of talent through Jobs 253, a program that connects local businesses with high school students for meaningful, hands-on internship experiences. As an employer partner, you’ll mentor motivated students, strengthen your community impact, and help inspire future career pathways in your industry.

Ready to get involved? Register to become an employer partner and explore more information below about how your business can make a lasting difference in Tacoma’s workforce.

Thank you, TPS partners!

This innovative program thrives thanks to the unwavering support of our incredible partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to Representative Marilyn Strickland, the MacKenzie Scott Foundation, the Port of Tacoma, the City of Tacoma, Korsmo Construction, and countless industry partners across the region. Their generosity, collaboration, and dedication to Tacoma’s youth make this work possible.

Donate to the Tacoma Education Dream Fund

The Dream Fund supports student programs like Jobs 253, Futures 253, and more throughout Tacoma Public Schools.

Donate Online

Contact the Jobs 253 Team

Liz Portela
Jobs 253 Coordinator
Jobs253@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Need a place to deposit your check?

We've got you covered! TPS has partnered with Gesa Credit Union to help students open free checking or debit accounts… and with every swipe of your TPS-branded card, Gesa will donate money back to the district to help more support Jobs 253 work experiences!

Check out your card options here: https://www.gesa.com/product/affinity-cards/.

Complete an application and take it to the Gesa branch at 2637 N Pearl St to open your account and get your card. Mt. Tahoma and Stadium HS students can open an account at the credit union on campus!

Jobs 253 expands to year-round program to benefit students, community