Change your life with professional skills training, on the job experience, online career exploration, and connections with adult professionals who can help you learn what it takes to succeed.

Why do Step Up?

Success starts with Step Up

Get your foot in the door, discover new careers and show people what you’re capable of. You'll learn how to develop your resume and build on your strengths.

Real jobs. Real work. Real money.

Explore careers with a fun, flexible and good-paying summer internship through Step Up. Each summer, Step Up interns collectively earn $3 million in nine weeks.

Step Up is for you

Explore careers with a fun, flexible and good-paying summer internship through Step Up. Each summer, Step Up interns collectively earn $3 million in nine weeks.

Kickstart your career

Explore careers with a fun, flexible and good-paying summer internship through Step Up. Each summer, Step Up interns collectively earn $3 million in nine weeks.

Build your network

Explore careers with a fun, flexible and good-paying summer internship through Step Up. Each summer, Step Up interns collectively earn $3 million in nine weeks.

Who is eligible for Step Up?

Live in Minneapolis (Must provide a Minneapolis address for mail to be delivered)
Be 14-21 years old on June 1, 2023
Not be currently enrolled in college
- You can be enrolled Post Secondary Education Options (PSEO)
Be eligible to work in the US by June 1, 2023
Must also meet one or more of these requirements:
- Family income guidelines
- Live with a disability
- Have an IEP or 504 plan
- Be an English Language Learner
- Be pregnant or parenting
- Be experiencing homelessness or high mobility
- Be involved in the foster care system
- Have been involved in the justice system

What can I expect?

If you choose to do the Step Up internship, you will be placed in one of two levels based on age. Check out some of the awesome employers you may have the opportunity to work with in your Step Up internship!

Level 1 Internships:

For students who are 14 to 15-years-old

Students are placed in internships that give them:

Foundational work experience
Deep and intentional mentoring to prepare them for more challenging positions

Internship placements are with:

Parks
Community organizations
Public agencies
Nonprofits

Wages are paid for by the City of Minneapolis ($12.75 an hour!)

Internships start on June 20th

Level 2 Internships:

For students who are 16 to 21 years old

Students are placed in internships that give them:

Resume-building opportunities
Professional experience
Exposure to a variety of potential careers

Students are placed in internships across 15 industries with:

Private sector businesses
Public agencies
Nonprofits

Wages are paid by the employer (At least $15 an hour!)

Internship starts on June 20th

Online Career Exploration Program:

For students who are 14-21 years old

You can choose to explore career skills through this paid five-week online program instead of doing an internship.
You'll learn about decision-making, relationship skills, community building, how to plan for the future, and more.
While internships are not guaranteed, if you complete training and are not matched to an internship, you will be invited to our Career Exploration Program!
By completing the Career Exploration Program, you can earn up to $600 and eligible participants can earn 0.25 elective academic high school credits.

Earn up to $600 over a span of 5 weeks

Internship start mid-summer

Step Up Timeline

WHS CCC and Step Up

Step Up Application Info Guide

Resource created to support students in answering frequent questions on the Step Up application

Step Up Application Guide 2023 (General).pdf

APPLY TO STEP UP HERE

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