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Updated: Feb. 03, 2022, 8:47 a.m. | Published: Feb. 03, 2022, 8:47 a.m.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- Students looking to increase their real-world work experience can now apply to SummerWorks, an internship and mentor program in Washtenaw County. The 10-week summer program — an opportunity to gain work experience, learn how to apply for jobs and navigate the hiring process — is open to young adults ages 16 to 24 who are either residing or attending school in Washtenaw County.
Participants are paid either $10 or $12 an hour, depending on whether they have completed a high school degree or equivalent, for 20 hours a week throughout the internship. The program starts in April, with internships beginning in June and running into August.
Interns also meet weekly with an adult mentor.
“As an introverted person, working at the library and connecting with other people has pushed me to ‘come out of my shell’ a little bit,” said 2021 SummerWorks participant Alayna Good. “The program helps you improve and grow as a person.”
Good worked as an intern at the University of Michigan Hatcher Library.
The program, which was started in 2016, has paired more than 380 young adults with 85 local businesses since its inception, hosting 70 students last year alone.
“SummerWorks has adapted during the pandemic to accommodate both in-person and remote internships, as well as create and expand a summer mentorship program,” said Misty Shulters, deputy director at Michigan Works! Southeast, in a statement. “We’re proud to have been able to support young adults connecting to work experiences and to provide talent to businesses looking for fresh eyes and energy to move projects forward over the summer.”
Businesses interested in hosting an intern can attend a virtual information session on Feb. 11, Feb. 23, March 4 or March 16, while interested students can apply online at summerworks.info. Intern applications are due by March 13.
“We look forward to even more employers joining us in 2022 so we can achieve our goal of providing more than 100 internships to young adults this summer,” Shulters said.
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