Rochester Reporter

The City of Rochester and Monroe County are calling on local employers to join their summer internship programs. The City of Rochester Summer of Opportunity Program (SOOP) and the Monroe County Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), in collaboration with RochesterWorks, are looking for community partners to provide internship opportunities for young residents this summer.

Mayor Malik D. Evans emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating, “Every young person who wants a job should be able to get a job, and the community partners in our Summer of Opportunity and Summer Youth Employment Programs are the ones who make that possible.” He added that participating employers offer youth an early chance to learn professional skills essential for future careers.

County Executive Adam Bello highlighted the benefits of these programs: “Monroe County’s Summer Youth Employment Program and the City of Rochester’s Summer of Opportunity Program are invaluable opportunities to help our young people gain hands-on experience, develop new skills, and receive mentorship from industry professionals and leaders.” Bello also noted that local businesses benefit by gaining additional help during summer while fostering future workforce development.

Dave Seeley, Executive Director of RochesterWorks, stated, “SYEP and SOOP provide Rochester’s youth with the opportunity to get a head start learning about available career pathways while also making a good wage over the summer.” He stressed the crucial role area employers play by offering youth vital skills and experiences contributing to their growth as skilled workforce members.

Each summer for six weeks, SOOP and SYEP collaborate with RochesterWorks to offer hundreds of internships across various sectors including government agencies, non-profit organizations, private businesses such as advanced manufacturing; culinary arts; health care; hospitality; and multimedia production. Interns work 20 hours weekly with stipends provided by both city and county authorities. Employers ensure meaningful work experiences that expose young people to career paths.

The application period opened on February 1st and will continue until all positions are filled. Interested youth must be enrolled in school or pursuing a high school equivalency like a GED alongside holding a New York State work permit. For further details or application information, individuals can visit www.ROCSummerYouth.com or www.CityofRochester.Gov/SOOP or contact the Summer Youth Hotline at (585) 428-6366.