PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 

COMMISSION AGENDA             Item No.      4b 
Date of Meeting     March 6, 2012 
DATE:    February 24, 2012 
TO:      Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:    Kim DesMarais, Sr. Manager, Employment 
Derek Bender, Employment Program Coordinator 
SUBJECT:  Special Order of Business: Internship Employer of the Year Award 

BACKGROUND:
The Port of Seattle has been proud to offer internships to high school, college and graduate
students for the last 49 years and has designed a program to provide qualified candidates with
valuable work experience to supplement and enhance their academic programs. In return, the
Port derives the full benefit of students' capabilities to assist in a wide variety of departmental
operations and special projects. Although most of our interns are hired full-time for the summer 
months, many continue to grow and build a wealth of experience as they continue their
internship into the school year. 
Our internship opportunities are very competitive and ask students to apply via our website for
positions that align with their degree programs and career aspirations. Any student that is
interested in our program is required to upload a cover letter and resume as well as provide us
with a list of supplementary documents that give the Hiring Manger information regarding their
coursework and expectations of the internship. Most of our internships are posted online in the
month of March and set to begin when the successful student candidate completes their Spring
term. 
Last year, the Internship Program hired a total of 27 paid interns from local high schools as well
as regional and national colleges and universities. Since 2008, the Port has hired 107 interns into
a wide array of positions that have supported both our maritime and aviation sectors. Many
departments throughout the organization like Accounting, Aviation Operations, Construction
Services, Engineering, Environmental and Planning just to name a few, support the program on
an annual basis. With a goal of providing student interns with a true quality experience, we ask
for their input in making their internships as valuable as possible by aligning our opportunity
with their individual goals. For college and graduate interns, we ask them to create specific
learning objectives as part of the application process. This way, the interns can work with their
supervisors in not only accomplishing the tasks outlined by the department when creating each

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
February 24, 2012 
Page 2 of 2 
unique job description but also by developing a scope of work that aligns with their academic
interests. 
On February 2, 2012, representatives from Seattle University recognized and awarded the Port of
Seattle as the Internship Employer of the Year. This award highlighted the efforts by the Port to
provide high quality internship opportunities for students attending Seattle University. Derek
Bender, who organizes and coordinates the Intern Program for the Port, accepted the award in
front of roughly 35 employers prior to Seattle University's annual internship fair. Our program
encourages students to put their skills and decision-making processes to work, partnering with
Port staff to offer validity to their ideas and credibility to their solutions. This award
acknowledges the Port of Seattle's commitment to fostering the next generation of community
leaders and provides an avenue for students to apply their academic learning to jobs that may
lead to a Port-related career in the maritime or aviation sectors. It reaffirms that our student
opportunities make a positive difference and builds strong partnerships with regional academic
institutions like Seattle University. 
OTHER DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SPECIAL ORDER: 
Internship Employer of the Year Award presented on February 2, 2012, by Seattle
University. 
Information about the Port of Seattle's Internship Program. 









Commission Agenda_Intern Employer of the Year Award