Paid youth internship program seeks Washtenaw County employers, mentors for 11th year

Washtenaw County’s summer youth employment program, SummerWorks, is currently recruiting local employers to host interns and provide mentorship to young adults ages 16-24 this summer. Information sessions for employers and mentors will be held throughout February and March.

“We are looking across the board to partner with employers throughout the county,” says Morgan Cox, SummerWorks program coordinator. “Small businesses, nonprofits, government entities. … We can partner with anybody as long as their intention is to work with youth and young adults being introduced to the workforce.”

SummerWorks is a partnership between Michigan Works! Southeast, the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development, the University of Michigan, and Ann Arbor SPARK. Now in its 11th year, the program offers 10-week paid summer internships to young people across the county. Past years have seen 130-150 internship placements. Besides internships, the program also includes professional development sessions, mentoring opportunities, and creation of a professional portfolio. The deadline for employers to apply to host an intern is March 15.

“We do professional development including resume building, workplace etiquette, what to wear in professional environments,” Cox says. “We’re looking for anyone who has patience, flexibility, and openness. This is not free labor. We want to partner with employers who want to support young adults. The common trait among all our employers is that they want youth and young adults to have this experience.”

Participants are paid $15 to $17 per hour depending on if they have completed high school. Employers looking to host an intern are asked to commit $3,000 to $3,400 to fund the position and can apply for financial support to subsidize their intern. Throughout the experience, employers also receive support and guidance from SummerWorks, including HR and hiring process management, payroll, and other business functions. There are also optional sessions focused on how to engage interns meaningfully and how to promote inclusive mentorship.

In the mentorship program, participants are guided to explore career interests and post-secondary education options. Mentors should commit to meeting with their mentee once a week throughout the summer program. Meetings can be virtual. SummerWorks would also like to attract a diverse group of mentors from a variety of professional, educational, and personal backgrounds. SummerWorks also provides support and guidance for mentors on how to facilitate the mentorship relationship. The deadline to apply to be a mentor is April 15. 

“We recruit mentors across industries to guide a young person personally and professionally,” Cox says. “Mentors and mentees connect based on professional interests. In the off chance someone is interested in something that we don’t currently have a connection for, we’ll find and make a connection.”

Young adults interested in SummerWorks must apply by March 22. The application should take 10-15 minutes to complete. Information can be found at Summerworks.info.