PGE now taking internship applications, offering real-world experiences for students

Portland General Electric is now taking applications for its student internship program, offering college-aged students an innovative, real-world experience to advance their professional development and expose more youth to the variety of opportunities that exist within the energy sector, including with utilities like PGE.

As part of PGE’s commitment to supporting the next generation who will help power Oregon's sustainable future, PGE’s internship program gives hands-on opportunities to learn more about different careers available at a utility company, including power system engineering, a specialized field of engineering that focuses on the generation, transmission and distribution of power.

Recently, PGE interns invited Portland State University engineering students to tour one of PGE’s battery storage facilities and get a first-hand look at power system engineering at its best. Battery energy storage systems help PGE provide reliable power by storing excess energy from sources like wind and solar, making it available during times of high demand to quickly deliver electricity to customers whenever it’s needed.

Dressed head to toe in safety gear, 17 students toured the facility, getting a glimpse of powering system engineering at its best. Portland State University Electrical and Computer Engineering professor Dr. Robert Bass said it was a learning opportunity students can only get in person.

“Engineering students benefit significantly from these kinds of industry experiences, as they give perspective on what their careers could look like, provide them with opportunities to ask questions about cutting-edge technologies from professional engineers, and help them develop their professional networks,” said Dr. Bass.

Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program

PGE also offers internship opportunities in cooperation with the Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program (MECOP), a college internship program that provides hands-on job experiences for students at Oregon State University, Portland State University, Oregon Institute of Technology, and University of Portland.

The MECOP program, which PGE has supported since 2008, offers students two separate six-month internships — both placements providing a unique experience.

PGE System Protection Engineering manager Jill Heintz, who oversees the MECOP program at PGE, said this program is a perfect opportunity for students who aren’t sure what they want to do for a career.

“MECOP is a chance for students to get real work experience to help them find a career best suited for them,” said Heintz. “Interning at PGE is unique, in that, no one thinks about working at their utility, but once students start learning more about the opportunities available, they get inspired.”

In total, PGE hosted 28 interns in 2025, including 16 MECOP interns. For more information about PGE’s internship program, head to portlandgeneral.com/about/careers.

Students interested in learning more about MECOP can find information at www.mecopinc.org/ .

About Portland General Electric

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is an integrated energy company that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to over 950,000 customers serving an area of 1.9 million Oregonians. Since 1889, Portland General Electric (PGE) has been powering social progress, delivering safe, affordable, reliable and increasingly clean electricity while working to transform energy systems to meet evolving customer needs. PGE customers have set the standard for prioritizing clean energy with the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the country. PGE was ranked the No. 1 utility in the 2024 Forrester U.S. Customer Experience Index and is committed to reducing emissions from its retail power supply by 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. In 2024, PGE employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated $5.5 million and volunteered nearly 23,000 hours to more than 480 nonprofit organizations. For more information visit www.PortlandGeneral.com/news