Summer Youth Internship Program Returns for Miami-Dade Students

Students have different options for how to spend their summers, and for many, an internship offers benefits that go beyond the classroom.

While a stipend can help, the experience provides skills and exposure that are difficult to replicate in a traditional academic setting.

In a recent press release from Miami-Dade County Public Schools, county leaders emphasized the long-term impact of internship opportunities.

“I certainly am where I am today thanks to great internships. So many people I know in this community found their paths through internships,” said Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

“What we do here deeply matters not just to individuals and their families and their communities, but to our economy.”

Now in its 11th year, the countywide Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP) opened April 7. Interested students in grades 10 through 12 have until May 1 to apply, while participating employers may host up to 10 students during the summer.

District officials say the program is designed to prepare students for life after graduation by connecting them with real-world work experiences.

“Students are graduating with a high school diploma, industry credentials, and solidified internships with local businesses in our community,” said Superintendent of Schools Jose L. Dotres.

“It is an initiative that is empowering students and families while building a pipeline of talent to strengthen our community.”

Participation in the program has grown steadily over the past decade. Last summer, 3,661 students from 92 schools completed the five-week paid internship program, working with 924 employers across a range of industries.

Organizers hope to reach 4,000 students this year. Miami-Dade County Public Schools and its partners invested $7 million in the program.

The district partners with organizations including The Children's Trust, CareerSource South Florida, EdFed, the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, and the M-DCPS Foundation to provide internship placements. Students have been placed in a wide variety of settings, including government offices, veterinary clinics, restaurants, engineering firms, daycare centers, and law offices.

The internship period will run from July 1 through Aug. 2. Students who complete the program receive high school credit and may also be eligible for college credit through dual enrollment with Miami Dade College.

Program partners say the benefits extend beyond job experience.

“It’s a win for the students, which is the most important part. It’s a win for the community and the school system,” said Michael DiBenedetto. He added that interns who open accounts with EdFed receive financial literacy resources and may qualify for scholarships.

“We want students to become strong financial stewards as they move into adulthood.”

Applications, handbooks for students, parents, and employers, and additional information are available at miamiinterns.org.

For more information, call (305) 693-3005.