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SYEP logo featuring four Summer Youth Employment participants posing for a photo

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 16–24 improve their work readiness skills and explore career pathways through paid summer jobs in a variety of industries throughout NYC

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?

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SYEP Community Based

SYEP's Community Based option provides NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience.

How to apply? 

*** The deadline to submit applications was 5/6/2022. No further applications may be submitted.*** 

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. 

Eligibility Requirement: 

  • Must attend one of the DOE schools listed here
Benefits of CareerReady SYEP: 
  • 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
How to apply?
Please contact your school or the provider today to learn more about the application process.

SYEP Emerging Leaders

SYEP's Emerging Leaders option provides opportunities to youth ages 14 to 24 who face at least one of the following employment barriers: homeless or runaway youth, justice-involved youth, youth in or aging out of foster care, youth in families who are receiving preventive services through NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS).

The Emerging Leaders Program is based on agency partnerships that help youth to navigate life's challenges and empower them through a project /work-based lens.

Eligibility  Requirements:

  • Must be a resident of the five boroughs of NYC.
  • Legally allowed to work in the United States.
  • Must be referred by affiliated agency support staff

Must face one of the listed employment barriers below to be served

  • Homeless & Runaway (Residing in Shelters)
  • Justice/Court Involved
  • Foster Care
  • Receiving Preventive Services through ACS

Special partners recruit/refer available NYC youth through additional service options:
*Youth must receive a direct referral from their support agency.

  • DOE-ACCESS            • DOE- Students in Temporary Housing
  • DOE-D75                  • End Domestic and Gender Based Violence
  • DOE-D79                  • HRA – Cash Assistance through Business Link
  • DOE-LYFE                 • Runaway Homeless Youth


  •  Young people aged 14—15 can participate in paid project-based activities which will help them explore different career opportunities
  • Young people aged 16—24 can apply for paid summer jobs in a variety of industries throughout NYC.

SYEP Map to $uccess

The Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP) is a comprehensive neighborhood-based strategy to increase safety through coordinated crime reduction efforts at 15 NYCHA developments across New York City.

The SYEP MAP to $uccess Program is designed to provide SYEP opportunities to youth ages 14 to 24 who currently reside in one of these following MAP Housing Developments. (see list bellow)

The goal of the MAP to $uccess is based on agency partnerships that help youth to navigate life's challenges and empower them through a project /work-based lens. 

Eligibility  Requirement:

  • Must be a resident of the five boroughs of NYC.
  • Legally allowed to work in the United States.
  • Must be a resident of one of the identified MAP developments.
MAP Developments:

·  Boulevard ·  Jefferson · Stapleton

·  Brownsville

·  Johnson

· Tompkins
·  Bushwick ·  Patterson · Van Dyke

·  Butler

·  Polo Grounds

· Wagner
·  Castle Hill · Queensbridge · Wyckoff
·  Gowanus ·  Red Hook
·  Ingersoll ·  St. Nicholas

SYEP CareerFIRST

SYEP's CareerFIRST Program is designed to expand access to career readiness as well as summer youth employment opportunities for youth (age 14-24 years old) residing in select non-MAP NYCHA public housing complexes. As part of this strategy, CareerFIRST will provide work-readiness training and paid project-based or work-based experiences for NYCHA youth residing in these developments. Providers would work collaboratively with NYCHA developments and community-based partners to recruit and enroll program participants.

Eligibility Requirement:

  • Must be a resident of the five boroughs of NYC.
  • Legally allowed to work in the United States.
  • Must be a resident of one of the identified NYCHA developments.
CareerFirst Developments:

·     Baruch

·    Ravenswood

·     Breukelen

·    Throggs Neck

·     Bronx River

·    Tilden

·     Farragut

·    West Brighton

·     King Towers

SYEP Documents