SERVICES
If you are a New York City resident, between the ages of 14 – 24, and looking for a job opportunity during the summer break (July and August), search no further! The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) at LaGuardia Community College has impacted the lives and work paths of thousands of youth across New York City for the past 25+ years.
Sponsored by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), SYEP provides six weeks of paid work experience in either the private or public sector and much more.
The LaGuardia SYEP experience offers:
- Valuable work experience
- Workforce readiness training and financial literacy
- Opportunities for career exploration and admission at LaGuardia
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
The SYEP CareerREADY Program strengthens connections between academic learning and career exploration through NYC public high schools and SYEP Providers working collaboratively to implement both school year and summer program components. When our youth succeed, we succeed.
Chelsea Career and Technical Education High School and Middle College High School at LaGuardia Community College join us for an exciting summer of college exploration as well as work readiness training, paid internships, and engaging Project Based Learning.
To be eligible for the LaGuardia SYEP CareerReady Program you must meet the following requirements:
- Legal citizen of the United States
- Legally allowed to work in the United States
- Permanent New York City resident
- Between the ages 14-24 by or before July 1, 2025
For more information regarding the SYEP CareerReady Program with Chelsea CTE High School and Middle College High School at LaGuardia Community College, please contact acesyep@lagcc.cuny.edu.
The SYEP Emerging Leaders Program focuses on creating pathways for youth experiencing particular barriers, such as being Homeless & Runaway (Residing in Shelters), Justice/Court Involved, Foster Care, or Receiving Preventive Services through ACS, or HRA cases. The SYEP Emerging Leaders Program does the work of SYEP based on agency partnerships that help youth to navigate life’s challenges and empower them through a project/work-based lens. Emerging Leaders must be referred by the Employment Specialist, Caseworker or other staff at their Foster Care agency, Preventive Services, HRA, DOE, DHS funded shelter, Probation Officer or NYPD Youth Community Officer so we can partner with those agencies to ensure success.
For more information regarding the SYEP Emerging Leaders Program, please contact vysyep@lagcc.cuny.edu
CareerReady Work Learn & Grow is an off-shoot of the Summer Youth Employment Program and offers service learning and employment to youth ages 16 – 19 from October through April. To be eligible for the program, you must be in a select high school or college. For more information regarding CareerReady Work, Learn & Grow, please contact syep@lagcc.cuny.edu.
WORKSITE PARTNERS
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) at LaGuardia Community College partners with many employers throughout New York City, giving youth a chance to gain work experience and businesses an opportunity to expand their staff at no cost to them. SYEP participant wages are paid in full by the City of New York, so there is no cost to the hosting employer. Our program’s success is due largely to our powerful partnerships and networks, which are committed to supporting youth across New York City. We are continuously looking for new partners to help us enrich the lives of our diverse youth population. As an SYEP worksite, you can play an important role in the city’s economic recovery while gaining access to hyperlocal NYC talent and the workforce of tomorrow.
Please see below for important information on this summer’s program.
SYEP :
- Participants can work up to 25 hours per week
- Rate of pay is $16.50 per hour, paid by the City of New York
- Work opportunities may be remote, in person or via a hybrid model
- The maximum allowable number of participants assigned per supervisor is 12
We would be happy to connect and share more about how you can become a SYEP worksite. Click here to send a message to our team!
OUR TEAM
CLAUDIA BALDONEDO
Executive Director, Youth Initiatives
WINIFRED FRANCIS-MILLER
Director
LENA HAYES
Senior Program Coordinator
MICHELLE SAMPSON
Senior Program Assistant
KODY EMMANUEL
Senior Project Coordinator, CareerReady
STEPHANIE JIMENEZ
Senior Education Specialist
ALEXIS FLOWERS
Education Specialist
KYLE PETERS-HEPBURN
Senior Employment Specialist
MICHELLE FANG
Senior Budget Analyst
SRISTI SANSI
Administrative Assistant
MICHELLE MIGUEL
Administrative Assistant
CONTACT US
PHONE:
(718) 482-5340
(718) 609-2132
EMAIL:
SYEP (All SYEP participant and work partner inquiries):
syep@lagcc.cuny.edu
SYEP CareerREADY ONLY:
acesyep@lagcc.cuny.edu
SYEP Emerging Leaders ONLY:
vysyep@lagcc.cuny.edu
FOLLOW US
FAQs
General
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), funded by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), is the nation’s oldest and largest youth employment program. It connects NYC young people between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience for six weeks during July and August.
To be considered for SYEP, you must:
- permanently reside in New York City
- be at least 14 years old and no older than 24
- be legally allowed to work in New York City meet the requirements of the document checklist, which can be found at the application site
LaGuardia SYEP is serving 3 populations – Community Based Youth (General), CareerReady from Chelsea CTE High School, Middle College High School at LaGuardia Community College, and Emerging Leaders. You apply according to your population.
Community Based Youth (all youth across New York City)
SYEP CareerReady
SYEP Emerging Leaders (Agency-referred youth with unique situations)
- Please note CareerReady and Emerging Leaders are special programs and require a pin to complete the application.
- Please refer to those sections on the website to learn more.
No. Community Based Youth applicants are chosen by lottery. Applicants who are not accepted have access to alternative job, career or work-readiness resources.
Check the application for a list of required documents including but not limited to proof of legal residence in the United States, picture ID, proof of age, proof of address, working papers for youth ages 16 &17 and Selective Service for males 18 and older.
Younger Youth (14-15) can earn a stipend that totals $700.00 for the summer. Younger Youth must complete at least 12.5 hours per week of their Project Based Learning curriculum to receive their full weekly pay.
Older Youth (16-24) will earn the minimum wage rate of $16.50 per hour, for a total of $2475.00 for the summer. Older Youth can work a maximum of 25 hours per week to receive their full weekly pay.
Participants are paid weekly via a debit card or with Direct Deposit to a bank account of their choice.
Internet access is required to participate in SYEP. Please let your provider know if you do not have an Internet connected device including a smart phone, iPad or computer.
It will depend on your school schedule and whether it can accommodate participation. Review your summer school schedule when you receive it and be forthcoming with your availability. Ask program staff for support so you are placed in a viable option.
No. Only the first application submitted will be accepted. Submitting multiple applications may prevent you from consideration in the program.
Please contact syep@lagcc.cuny.edu.
Please contact syep@lagcc.cuny.edu.
Younger Youth (14-15-Year-Olds)
As a 14-15-year-old youth, you will participate in a paid project based learning experience that will provide enriching career exploration, emphasize work readiness, help foster leadership, and develop numerous skills. Activities will take place for 12.5 hours a week for six weeks in July and August, and you will receive up to a $700 stipend based on your attendance and participation.
SYEP for Younger Youth is 12.5 hours a week for six weeks.
Check the application for a list of required documents including but not limited to a picture ID, proof of age and address. If you are 16 – 17 years old, you will need working papers. Males over 18 must provide proof of Selective Service registration.
Older Youth (16-24-Year-Olds)
As a 16-24-year-old youth, you will participate in a work based experience that will match your interests and provide enriching career exploration, help foster leadership, include networking, and develop numerous skills. You will earn the New York State minimum wage of $16.50 an hour and may work up to 25 hours per week for six weeks in July and August.
SYEP for Older Youth is 25 hours a week for six weeks.
Check the application for a list of required documents including but not limited to a picture ID, proof of age and address. If you are 16 – 17 years old, you will need working papers. Males over 18 must provide proof of Selective Service registration.
Jobs may be in-person, remote or a hybrid of both. Some examples of industry sectors that have hosted SYEP participants are Educational Services, Hospitality, Information Technology, Financial Services and Childcare.
No. The NYC Department of Youth & Community Development does not require a fee for applying to SYEP, and no one is allowed to charge a fee for participation or application entry. During the summer, you will be responsible for your own transportation to and from work as well as your own meals. These are the only out-of-pocket costs that you should incur while working for SYEP.
SYEP CareerREADY Program
The SYEP CareerREADY Program was created to provide enhanced opportunities for youth to explore career options and develop work readiness skills. Designed to strengthen connections between academic learning and career exploration, select NYC public high schools and SYEP Providers work collaboratively to implement both school year and summer program components that focus on work readiness content related to career interests.
SYEP Emerging Leaders Program
The SYEP Emerging Leaders Program does the work of SYEP based on agency partnerships that help youth to navigate life’s challenges and empower them through a project /work-based lens.
The SYEP Emerging Leaders Program focuses on creating pathways for youth experiencing particular barriers such as being Homeless & Runaway (Residing in Shelters), Justice/Court Involved, Foster Care, or Receiving Preventive Services through ACS. Participants are referred by related agencies.
Emerging Leaders must be referred by the Employment Specialist, Caseworker or other staff at their Foster Care agency, Preventive Services, HRA, DOE, DHS funded shelter, Probation Officer or NYPD Youth Community Officer.
For more information on the SYEP Emerging Leaders Program ONLY, please contact vysyep@lagcc.cuny.edu.
