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Work skills

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OSU Extension helps individuals build practical work skills through training, education and community partnerships that support career readiness and economic opportunity. We provide resources and programs that strengthen employability, confidence and pathways to meaningful work.

Featured resources

Working with food hubs to grow your farm business

Discover how partnering with local food hubs can help you grow your farm business by unlocking new wholesale and institutional markets. This guide walks you through what to look for in a hub and how to determine if it fits your products, scale and goals.

Evie Smith | Apr 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Tips for applying for your first job or internship

Applying for a first job or internship often involves other firsts too — writing a cover letter, creating a résumé, deciding on references, filling out an application. Here are some tips on how to do all those things.

Emily Henry | Dec 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Careers in Science webinar series

This series of webinars is for students in grades 6-12 who want to explore careers in marine science.

Lindsay Carroll, Tracy Crews | Mar 2026 | OSU Sea Grant Publication Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Career skills reflection guide

This guide was developed for outdoor school educators/staff and includes career skills and related reflection questions for student leaders to help them develop real-world career skills through reflection and mentorship.

Outdoor School

Latest news

Lane County Youth Livestock Field Day exposes youths to agriculture careers

Co-hosted by the OSU Extension 4-H and Small Farms programs, the inaugural event introduced youth to topics applicable to all livestock, including vaccines, meat quality and biosecurity.

Grace Xue | May 12, 2026 | News story

Youth tractor safety training prepares Oregon teens for farm jobs

In Oregon, youths can earn a tractor certification through OSU Extension’s training, learning about tractor parts, safety procedures and driving techniques.

Grace Xue | May 5, 2026 | News story

Workshop helps participants connect students to outdoor careers

Educators explore pathways, internships and stewardship roles.

Chris Branam | Apr 24, 2026 | News story

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Latest resources

Disease Prevention and Diagnosis For Nursery Crops online course

There are many important pathogens that can cause plant disease in nurseries. Take this self-paced certification course offered in English and Spanish to learn how to prevent the introduction and spread of these microorganisms by implementing best management practices. For nursery managers and frontline workers with years of experience in the nursery industry, this course can help demonstrate your knowledge and educational credentials.

Nov 2025 | Online resource

Is there a Spanish resource with technical plant terms?

Q: Do you know of a good Spanish resource with technical plant terms, maybe a college or university text we can create a dictionary from? I work at a greenhouse and am trying to open bilingual communications. At the moment, ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Episode 62: Exploring Forest Biotechnology

Join Scott Leavengood and guest-host Teagan McElliot as they delve into the topic of BioEngineering, and how it could be applied beneficially to healthy forests and timber products.

Scott Leavengood, Carrie Cantrell, Steve Strauss | Jun 2025 | Podcast episode Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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More ways to upskill and start your career

Open Campus

OSU Open Campus is the educational bridge that connects Oregon State University to people of all ages — whether that involves college access, career exploration or community vitality.

Program

Professional And Continuing Education (PACE) courses

Year-round short courses taught by OSU faculty and industry professionals give you a start in topics you can use.

Sep 2018 | Online resource

Career Opportunities

Job opportunities and employment information about working for OSU Extension.

About Us

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Meet Our Experts

Didgette McCracken
Youth CTE, Trades & Workforce Development Specialist

Contact me about youth workforce development.

Oralia Mendez
Oralia Mendez
Manager of Workforce Development & Community Programs
Headshot of Emily Henry
Emily Henry
Director of OSU Open Campus
Patrick Kelley
Director of Professional and Continuing Education
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Have a question? Ask Extension!

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Is there a Spanish resource with technical plant terms?

Q: Do you know of a good Spanish resource with technical plant terms, maybe a college or university text we can create a dictionary from? I work at a greenhouse and am trying to open bilingual communications. At the moment, ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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