You can get information about youth employment programs in New York City.

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) provides summer employment information, assistance, and referrals for City residents who are ages 14 through 24.

Applicants are chosen either by lottery or through specialized programming. Applicants who are not accepted have access to alternative job, career or work-readiness resources.

Eligibility

You must be:

  • At least 14 years old and no older than 24
  • A resident of one of the five boroughs of New York City
  • Legally allowed to work in the United States

Some program options have additional eligibility requirements.

Program Options

NYC teens aged 14-15 learn about career opportunities and make a difference in their communities through paid project-based activities.

Young people aged 16-24 improve their work readiness skills and explore career pathways through paid summer jobs in a variety of industries throughout NYC.

Apply

The SYEP 2024 application period opened on January 22, 2024. The deadline to apply was extended to March 15, 2024.

During the application period, required documents include but are not limited to:

  • Picture ID
  • Proof of age
  • Proof of address

Participants are selected by lottery to ensure fairness. There will be more than one lottery to ensure that all seats are filled.  Some participants are directly recruited by SYEP community partners for specialized programming.

Learn more and apply for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).

Wages

SYEP participants in work-based experiences receive hourly wages at the prevailing minimum wage. Younger youth participating in project-based experiences receive a stipend.

Learn More

Online

Get information about SYEP.

Learn about other summer job, internship, or training programs.

Contact Community Connect, a free and confidential helpline for young people.

Send an email to communityconnect@dycd.nyc.gov for more information and help.

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Youth and Community Development
  • Division: Community Connect
  • Phone Number: (800) 246-4646
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
  • If the call fails to connect, you can call again later or email communityconnect@dycd.nyc.gov.

The Work, Learn and Grow Employment Program provides career readiness training and paid employment opportunities for Summer Youth Employment Program participants between the ages of 16 and 19.

You can get details about the program online or by phone.

Online

Learn more about Work, Learn and Grow.

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Youth and Community Development
  • Division: Community Connect
  • Phone Number: (800) 246-4646
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
  • If the call fails to connect, you can call again later or email communityconnect@dycd.nyc.gov.

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