Jobs & Internships

About Ladders for Leaders

Ladders for Leaders is a nationally recognized program that offers outstanding high school and college students the opportunity to participate in paid professional summer internships with leading corporations, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies in New York City. By hiring Ladders for Leaders interns, employers are matched with job-ready applicants that have been vetted and trained. Students undergo a competitive application process and receive 30 hours of pre-employment training.

Ladders for Leaders is a component of NYC's Summer Youth Employment Program, the nation's largest summer jobs program. It is administered by the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and supported by the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City.

Ladders for Leaders connects employer partners and youth to summer internship and early career programs. Our community-based organizations recruit candidates who meet your company’s needs, ensuring a strong match for open roles. Beyond the summer, employers also gain access to our extensive alumni network, which can be used to share long-term hiring opportunities.

Learn more about becoming a Ladders for Leaders partner in our Employer Guide:

• 2026 NYC Ladders for Leaders Employer Guide

Who are Our Students?

Ladders for Leaders students are:

• Diverse, talented NYC residents between the ages of 16 and 24.
• Rising high school seniors or college students.
• High-achieving academically and have previous work or volunteer experience.
• Trained in transferable skills including business communication, time management and productivity, workplace culture and dynamics, professional ethics and decision-making, interview preparation, financial literacy for early professionals, and more prior to the start of their internship placements.
• Ambitious, curious, and excited to work with your organization!

Past Partners

Ladders for Leaders partners include some of the most recognizable companies and organizations in the nation, hosting summer internships that demand skilled students with relevant industry interest and experience—the program is here to meet those needs.

Interested in Hiring Ladders Participants?

Get in touch with a DYCD-funded community-based organization that operates Ladders for Leaders or email us at nycladdersforleaders@dycd.nyc.gov to get started.