Find a Job

If you are a teen – or the parent of one – it’s not too early to start thinking about a summer job. Need some help getting started? Check out these resources.

Find a Job…this Summer

Although the current job market is tough for teens, many specialty employment programs exist to ensure that young people are able to get some work experience before graduating from high school. Many programs have a specific work-focus, and the availability of programs varies from region to region.

Here is a sampling of youth employment programs and services available in the Twin Cities:

• EMERGE StreetWerks: summer employment program and youth services in Minneapolis
• Minnesota Conservation Corps: statewide opportunities in environmental services
• STEP-UP Achieve: paid internships for low-income students in Minneapolis
• Tree Trust Youth Summer Employment Program: paid work in a variety of positions in Washington, Dakota, and suburban Hennepin counties.                              
• Urban Garden Youth Employment: entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities in the Twin Cities Metro
• Youth Express: community-based, youth non-profit offering “first jobs” for teens in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul
• YouthJobCorps: paid internships for low-income students in St. Paul
• YouthLead: employment services for underserved youth in Ramsey County
• Youth Farm & Market Project: personal development and farming program in Minneapolis and St. Paul

Don’t live in the Twin Cities? Don’t worry! Check out these local youth employment program contacts listed with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Also, check out the state’s no-fee job bank, MinnesotaWorks.net. (Here are some tips on how to search the site for an internship or summer job.) And try the U.S. Department of Labor’s Summer Jobs+ website, too.

Find a Job…for the Future

Since summer employment is often a teen’s first experience with work, it can be the first step in exploring careers. You might be interested in learning about the work activities, wages, and educational requirements of jobs, so you can them make informed choices about part-time work or longer-term career possibilities. ISEEK, Minnesota’s career exploration website, has information and resources for more than 500 careers and additional tools to help you create education and career plans and find jobs. 

It’s also not too early to start planning for your career! Read why it’s important and how to start the career exploration process.