Summer is just around the corner, and while it’s tempting to binge-watch your favorite shows or perfect your TikTok moves, why not use this time to level up? Imagine earning some cash, gaining real-world experience, and boosting your college applications—all while making the most of your summer break. Sound exciting? Let’s dive into the ultimate guide to finding the perfect summer job or internship.
Exploring Opportunities: Where to Start
1. Summer Youth Employment Programs (SYEP)
Most major cities offer SYEPs that connect students with paid summer jobs and internships. These programs are great opportunities to kickstart your career journey while making a difference in your community. Check out some of these programs across the U.S.:
Albany, NY – LIGHT Youth Employment Program: A program for Albany residents aged 14-18, offering valuable work experience and an introduction to the labor market.
Atlanta, GA – Summer Youth Employment Program: This program provides paid internships, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurial experiences, aiming to create 3,000 placements for young people.
Boston, MA – futureBOS: With hundreds of jobs for youth ages 14-18 and young adults ages 19 - 24, this program is perfect for Boston residents looking to gain work experience. Check back in March for summer job opportunities.
Chicago, IL – One Summer Chicago Program: A collaboration between government, community organizations, and companies, offering employment opportunities for youth and young adults ages 14-24.
Dallas, TX – Dallas Works Internship Program: Up to 150 students can secure paid internships at corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies. Internship applications will be available March 31, 2025.
Detroit, MI – Grow Detroit’s Young Talent: This program connects Detroit youth (ages 14-24) with meaningful summer jobs. Applications for 2025 open February 6, 2025.
Houston, TX - City of Houston Summer Jobs Program: To be eligible to participate in the program, you must be between the age of 16 and 24 and reside within the City of Houston. Applications open February 10, 2025 and close on March 14, 2025.
Los Angeles, CA – Hire LA's Youth Program: Focused on jobs in community service, public works, and more for ages 14-24.
Miami, FL – CareerSource South Florida Summer Youth Employment Program: Assists Miami-Dade high school students (ages 14-19) with work placements. Check back in early spring for updates on the 2025 Summer Youth Program.
Minneapolis, MN – Teen Teamworks: A Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board program employing youth in green careers and park maintenance roles. 2025 Summer Program applications will open in March.
New Orleans, LA – NOLA Youth Works: Offers employment for youth ages 16-24 in diverse industries. The application deadline is April 12, 2025.
New York, NY – Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP): The nation’s largest youth employment program connects NYC students (ages 14-24) with paid summer jobs. The application deadline is February 28, 2025.
Raleigh, NC - Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program: Offers paid summer work opportunities for teens ages 15-18 in Raleigh. Check back soon for 2025 application details.
San Antonio, TX- Family Service Summer Intern Experience: Provides paid, part-time internships for students 14 to 17 years old across San Antonio. Applications will open on February 1, 2025.
San Antonio, TX – SA Works: SA Works focuses on students aged 16 to 20. Applications for the 2025 Summer Internship program will open in March 2025.
San Francisco, CA – Project Pull: Paid internships in city departments for high schoolers. The application deadline is Friday, February 14, 2025.
Stamford, CT – Mayor’s Youth Employment Program: Open to high school juniors and seniors who are Stamford residents and are legally authorized to work in the United States. Application deadline is Monday, March 31, 2025.
Washington, D.C. – Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program: Enriching work experiences for youth ages 14-24.
If your city isn’t listed, try searching '[your city] + summer youth employment program' or 'summer jobs' online to find local opportunities.
2. Educational Institutions, Research Programs and Other Organizations
Universities, research institutions, cultural organizations, and even the federal government offer amazing summer internships for high school students. Here are some standout options:
NASA High School Internships: Get hands-on experience with NASA mentors on exciting projects. Applications for Summer 2025 are due February 28, 2025.
National Conservation Crews: Volunteer in national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges while contributing to environmental conservation.
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR): Conduct cutting-edge biomedical research and earn a stipend. Applications close February 22, 2025.
USAJOBS: Explore federal government internships designed for high school students, with both paid and unpaid options.
Bloomberg Arts Internships: Paid summer internships at cultural organizations for rising public high school seniors. Participating cities include the following:
Baltimore, MD – Application deadline is March 5, 2025.
Boston, MA – Applications open in February 2025.
Detroit, MI – Application deadline is March 13, 2025
New Orleans, LA – Application deadline is March 12, 2025.
New York, NY - Check back in January 2025 for more information.
Philadelphia, PA – Application deadline is February 28, 2025.
Washington, D.C. – Application deadline is March 16, 2025. There is an upcoming info session on January 27, 2025 for parents and eligible students, covering the BAI (rising seniors only) program and the SYEP program (14–21-year-olds). Apply here: 2025 Bloomberg Arts Internship.
3. Networking in Your Community
Sometimes, the best opportunities are closer than you think. Try these strategies:
Family and Friends: Ask family members or friends if they know of any openings or if their workplaces are hiring.
Local Businesses: Keep an eye out for "Help Wanted" signs in local stores, cafes, or restaurants. These establishments often look for summer help.
Community Centers, Libraries, Boys & Girls Clubs: These places often have bulletin boards with job postings or can direct you to local opportunities.
4. Businesses That Often Hire High School Students
Many businesses actively seek high school students for summer positions, giving you the chance to develop new skills while earning some cash. Here are some popular options:
Retail Stores: Build customer service and communication skills.
Restaurants and Cafés: Gain experience in fast-paced environments and learn about teamwork.
Summer Camps: Love kids? Become a camp counselor and make a lasting impact.
Amusement Parks: Ride operator, guest services, or food vendor—plenty of fun options.
Community Pools and Beaches: Lifeguards and pool attendants are always in demand.
Museums and Recreation Departments: Ideal for students passionate about culture or sports.
Self-employment: Start your own gig—babysitting, pet-sitting, house-sitting, tutoring, or even yard work can be lucrative.
5. Online Job and Internship Databases
Looking for an easy way to explore jobs and internships? Online databases are a fantastic starting point. One such resource is StandOut Search, a free database containing internships, research opportunities, and summer programs for high school students. Each opportunity in the database has been personally recommended by college students based on the opportunities they pursued in high school. Created with support from The University of Chicago and The University of Illinois, this database is your go-to for pre-vetted opportunities.
StandOut Connect is an independent program within the StandOutSearch database that matches students with remote internships in their fields of interest. Plus, if your family’s income is under $100,000, you may qualify for scholarships to participate—just indicate your need for financial assistance in your application. Low-income students may also be considered for the StandOut Scholars full scholarship program.
Tips for Landing the Perfect Summer Gig
Start Early: Many programs have application deadlines in late winter or early spring. Don't wait until the last minute to apply.
Polish Your Resume: Even if you have limited work experience, highlight your skills, volunteer work, and any relevant coursework.
Prepare for Interviews: Practice common interview questions and dress appropriately to make a good impression.
Be Open-Minded: While a job might not be in your dream field, all work experience is valuable and teaches transferable skills.
A summer job or internship is more than just earning some cash. It’s about building skills, growing your network, and discovering new interests. So, get out there, explore these resources, and make the most of your summer break. You’ve got this!
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