YouthCity Employment : Empowering High School Youth Through Career Readiness
YouthCity Employment is a free afterschool program for Salt Lake City high school students focused on career exploration, workforce readiness, and preparing youth for future employment opportunities. Youth will build professional skills, explore different career pathways, connect with City departments and community professionals, and gain tools to help prepare for jobs, internship opportunities and life after high school.
2026-2027 School-Year
YouthCity Employment Afterschool Program:
Get ready for YouthCity Employment’s first year of afterschool programming!
With two different pathways for 9th-10th graders and 11th-12th graders, there will be exciting curriculum opportunities for all Salt Lake City high school students! This program is no longer accepting applications.
Learn about other teen opportunities here
Important Dates:
- Program Dates: September 28th, 2026 – April 14th, 2027
Summer 2026
Teen Internship Program
Build confidence, develop real-world skills, and grow as a leader while gaining hands-on experience with youth.
Internship Overview
Child Development I
This is a 6-week unpaid opportunity designed to spark interest, build confidence, and prepare youth for higher levels of responsibility.
- Schedule:
- Monday-Friday mornings
- Eligibility:
- Open to Salt Lake City youth in grades 7–12
- Topics
- Career exposure & interest building
- Communication & teamwork skills
- Time management & responsibility
- Introduction to workplace expectations
- Project-based learning
- Supervised site exposure
Child Development II
This is a 6-week unpaid opportunity that supports youth who are ready for more responsibility but may not yet be prepared for a fully hourly position.
- Schedule:
- Monday-Friday afternoons
- Eligibility:
- Open to Salt Lake City youth in grades 7–12
- Topics
- Increased accountability and role ownership
- Supervised work-based learning experiences
- Continued skill development
- Professional communication
- Conflict resolution
Paid City Department Internships
This is an 8-week paid opportunity
- Schedule:
- Will vary by department
- Eligibility:
- Must be between 16 & 18 years old
- Must be work eligible
- Topics
- Attend workforce trainings
- Performance expectations aligned with entry- level employment
- Resume development
- Career pathway planning
Participant Demographics
28 Total Students
Gender
| Female | Male |
| 61% | 39% |
Race & Ethnicity
| Asian | 14% |
| Black / African American | 11% |
| Caucasian / White | 36% |
| Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 36% |
District of Residence
| District 1 | 21% |
| District 2 | 25% |
| District 3 | 11% |
| District 4 | 4% |
| District 5 | 21% |
| District 6 | 4% |
| District 7 | 11% |
| Outside of Salt Lake City | 3% |
Learn more about the Salt Lake City Council Districts here.
End of Year Internship Showcase
“The workforce development days set this program apart, equipping our kids with leadership training they may not get outside a corporate environment. Every child I spoke to was thoughtful, confident, and could pinpoint ways they grew both personally and professionally.”
-YCE Intern Parent
Contact Information
Senior Community Programs Manager:
- Erica Andino
- [email protected]
- (385) 309-7439
Program Instructor:
- Shelby Kealamakia
- [email protected]
Connect
YouthCity Employment Intern of the Week!
Learn more about our 2026 Summer Teen Interns!
How to get to YouthCity Employment
Tap your school to see your route to Salt Lake City Hall. Your ride is free with your school district student pass.
Tap your school
West HighAbout 30 min
Head over right after school.
- 1Walk, about 10 min
Walk to Arena station, by the Delta Center. - 2Green Line
Take the Green Line south, toward West Valley. - 3Get off
Get off at Courthouse. It is 4 stops. - 4Walk, about 5 min
Walk 1 block east to City Hall.
This whole ride is in the downtown Free Fare Zone.
East HighAbout 30 min
Head over right after school.
- 1Walk, about 10 min
Walk north on 1300 East to Stadium station at 500 South. - 2Red Line
Take the Red Line west, toward Daybreak. - 3Get off
Get off at Library. It is 3 stops. - 4Walk, about 2 min
City Hall is across the plaza.
Backup: Bus 220 stops at 1300 East and 900 South, about every 30 min.
HorizonteAbout 20 min
Head over right after school.
- 1Walk, about 3 min
Walk 1 block east to State Street. - 2Bus 200
Take Bus 200 north on State Street. It comes about every 15 min. - 3Get off
Get off at City Hall, between 400 and 500 South. - 4You made it
City Hall is right there.
Backup: take the Red Line from Ballpark station to Library.
Highland HighAbout 45 min
Head over right after school.
- 1Bus 21
Catch Bus 21 going west on 2100 South, by the school. - 2Get off
Ride to the last stop, Central Pointe station. - 3Red Line
Switch to the Red Line north. Get off at Library. - 4Walk, about 2 min
City Hall is across the plaza.
Bus 21 comes about every 15 min. This is the longest trip. If you get here after 4:00, that is okay. Just text us.
See the map
Red = Red Line, green = Green Line, blue = bus, dashed = walk. Simple map, not to scale.
Good to know
Late because of the bus or train? That is okay. Tap “Running late? Text us” so we know you are on the way.
Missed your train or bus? Another one usually comes soon. Check the Transit app for the real time.