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What Is SYEP?
Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation’s largest youth employment program, connecting NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer.
Participants have the opportunity to explore their interests and career pathways, develop workplace skills and engage in learning experiences that help in developing their social, civic and leadership skills.
By participating in structured project and work-based opportunities, NYC youth are better prepared for careers of the future.
Special programming available for NYC youth through various service 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 16–21 improve their work readiness skills and explore career pathways through paid summer jobs in a variety of industries throughout NYC
- Young adults aged 22-24 who face employment barriers or reside in NYCHA development may be eligible for special programming
What the Program Offers?
Who Can Apply?
SYEP is open to NYC youth who meet the following requirements*:
- Must reside within the five boroughs of New York City
- Be legally allowed to work in the United States
* Some service options have additional eligibility requirements.
What Service Option is Right for Me?
Click a topic, or press the enter key on a topic for more information.
SYEP Community Based
SYEP's Community Based option provides NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 21 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience.
SYEP CareerREADY
Designed for students between the ages of 14 and 21 from select DOE schools to provide career exploration opportunities and paid work experience.
Additional Eligibility Requirement:
- Must attend one of the DOE schools listed here
- Selection to the program is conducted by the participating schools rather than the online lottery
- Programs are co-created by the school and the SYEP provider to reflect the school’s program focus and students’ career interests
- Students receive comprehensive work-readiness training before their summer experience
SYEP Emerging Leaders
SYEP's Emerging Leaders option provides certain eligible NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience.
Additional Eligibility Requirements:
- Homeless & Runaway (Residing in Shelters)
- Justice/Court Involved
- Foster Care
- Receiving Preventive Services through ACS
- HRA participants receiving Cash Assistance via Business Link
- Students from Access and Alternative Schools
- Gender Based Violence
Please contact one of the Community Based Organizations listed here to learn more about the application process. Note: You must have an official referral partner to submit an application. Contact your agency case manager for additional details.
SYEP Map to $uccess
SYEP's Map to $uccess option provides NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 from select NYCHA developments identified by the Mayor's Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP) with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience..
Additional Eligibility Requirement:
- Must be a resident of one of the identified MAP developments.
SYEP CareerFIRST
SYEP's CareerFIRST option provides NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 from select NYCHA developments with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience.
Additional Eligibility Requirement:
- Must be a resident of one of the identified NYCHA developments.