Opportunity Knocks for Youth is an integral part of our social responsibility program. The idea stemmed from our company culture, with unlimited opportunity and tangible benefits for the individual, our business and our communities.

We believe that each of us can make a powerful difference by investing the skills, knowledge and professionalism we already have, into young talent. The young person gains basic skills, sector knowledge and professional experience that can add up to career success while employee engagement and satisfaction on the job increases for our team members.

Two-Way Street

Opportunity Knocks for Youth internships promote and increase visibility and access to trade, supply chain and logistics careers. Proactive opportunity placement in front of diverse talent opens the door for a young person to see new career pathway possibilities for success. We are proud to contribute to the success of our youth and we benefit by adding to our talent pipeline solutions. See the benefits section below for a list of shared value outcomes.

Skill and Confidence Building Internships
The Expeditors branch determines a paid, part-time term of service, (typically 6 months); with consideration for long term employment. The internship pursues basic skill development, providing a real work job description for entry level internship positions.

Partner Connections
The Expeditors local District offices partners with local youth organizations that support or provide basic internship preparedness. The ideal partner provides interview candidates in a timely manner, including resume creation support, interview practice, professionalism and customer service principles training.

Interview and Onboarding Experience
Candidates from local non-profit organziations are interviewed and offered feedback, to provide a professional experience and to build confidence, regardless of the interview outcome. Selected interns undergo a background check and work in a team environment with expectations and supported development goals.

Mentoring and Preparation for the Future
Interns gain professional experience through daily team interaction, weekly performance feedback, practical development opportunities and professional success tips. Training is available in customer service, communication and industry training through mentoring and internal computer-based courses. Tips on resume building and further development are also available.

Career Opportunity
Long-term employment is pursued when available, for candidates that exceed expectations.

Opportunity Knocks for Youth is Expeditors’ internal umbrella program for our work with youth internships, student work-studies and apprenticeships. This program comes from many “opportunity knocks” stories, is rooted in our culture of “hire for attitude, train for skill” and our practice of promotion from within.

Founded by Dan Wall, now President of Global Services, Dan started as an average student in high school. In his words, "you can’t get any more average than I was." Without the finances or interest to attend college, his post-high school graduation plan was to follow in his father's footsteps and become a truck driver. Being too young at the time, Dan pursued a position at Expeditors. Tim Barber, now Executive Vice President of Expeditors Europe, gave him an opportunity as a document runner.

With a great desire to excel Dan was quickly promoted to an office position. He exemplified the culture of the company, which still shines through to this day. Numerous employees mentored Dan, teaching him the basics of the industry and business etiquette. He rose in leadership through hard work and opportunity and gained an opportunity to get his college degree from Seattle U. Dan’s capstone project for his degree became our program called Opportunity Knocks.

Jose Ubeda, Senior Vice President of Digital Solutions and another opportunity knocks story, started at Expeditors at seventeen years old in San Francisco. He has been the executive champion of Opportunity for Knocks since 2015. Opportunity Knocks for Youth has worked with more than 20 non-profit organizations and schools to find candidates and has provided opportunity for more than 700 young people across 50 cities in 7 countries.

• Expanded vision happens from seeing new worlds of possibilities through opportunity.
• Mentors provide essential input that can fill gaps of the past and coaching needed now.
• Career awareness opens the mind to how talents can be connected for mutual benefit.
• Skills training and professional experience provides a fountain to build upon.
• Networking connections can lead to future opportunities.
• Career potential arises for those that meet or exceed expectations.

Opportunity Knocks for Youth meets entry level talent needs, fosters lower turnover in those hired long-term, and engages current employees in purposeful work.

• Talent pipeline: 44% of interns over 18 year old are converted to long term employees.
• Employee engagement: 57% of supervisors and mentors reported increased engagement on the job.
• Employee development: 93% of supervisors and mentors reported increased mentoring ability and 97% recommend involvement.
• Talent diversity is enhanced by purposeful outreach in broader communities.
• Talent attraction increases as people prefer to work for companies making a difference in individuals and communities.
• Goodwill is generated with customers and communities.