News

SummerWorks connects young adults ages 16-24 with 10-weeks of paid, quality career experience, professional development, and mentorship opportunities

Contact: Kathleen Hurley, mail@summerworks.info, 734-219-5141

WASHTENAW COUNTY – SummerWorks seeks to pair more than 100 of Washtenaw County’s motivated young people, aged 16-24, with Washtenaw County employers and University of Michigan departments. Youth living or attending school in Washtenaw County can apply for a quality, 10-week paid summer internship in a variety of fields. During the program, SummerWorks also provides structured professional development as well as mentorship and leadership opportunities.

“SummerWorks is a great opportunity for employers and young adults to connect in ways that they may not have otherwise. The young adults are talented and eager to learn, and the employers understand that to stay competitive they need to utilize innovative strategies and help. The program allows both parties to help each other reach their goals by joining the best and brightest young adults and employers to make magic happen over 10 weeks,” said Cheranissa Roach, economic opportunity manager at Washtenaw County’s Office for Economic and Community Development

SummerWorks’ mentorship program receives applications from retired and professional adults worldwide. Those interested commit as little as 1 hour per week and receive ongoing mentorship guidance and support from SummerWorks staff.

SummerWorks’ employer participants provide a minimum of 20 hours of internship work per week at a rate of $15/hour or $17/hour, based on youth participants’ completion of a high school degree or equivalent. Intern wage support is available for employers who qualify.

Applications for employers and mentors open Jan. 15 at SummerWorks.info. If you are interested in learning more, please RSVP to attend an employer and mentor info session, by visiting https://bit.ly/SW-Info-Sessions-23. Virtual and in-person info sessions run Feb. 10 through March 15 and are held at MichiganWorks! Southeast in Ypsilanti
or on the University of Michigan campus.

Info sessions offer a chance to meet SummerWorks staff, get an overview of the program, and learn about the benefits of providing internships for young adults through the SummerWorks program.

For more information, Washtenaw County businesses and organizations can contact Kathleen Hurley at mail@summerworks.info or 734-219-5141, and U-M departments can contact Armeka Richey at armeka@umich.edu or 734-355-4597.

If you know someone aged 16-24 residing or attending school in Washtenaw County who would like to participate in SummerWorks 2023, youth application and program information can be found at summerworks.info. The youth application deadline is March 12.

SummerWorks is a partnership between the Washtenaw County Office for Community and Economic Development, MichiganWorks! Southeast, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, and the University of Michigan. SummerWorks’ Washtenaw County employer recruitment effort is supported again this year by Amy Cell Talent.