Since its inception, the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) has helped thousands of D.C. teens and young adults gain professional experience. Funded by the Department of Employment Services (DOES), this six-week program provides District residents ages 14 – 24 with paid summer job placements in government and private sectors.
Kicking off June 23, 2025, participants will complete an orientation, attend workshops, take on work assignments, and celebrate their achievements at a closing ceremony on August 1, 2025. While short-term, SYEP aims to leave a lasting impact by empowering young D.C. residents to:
- Obtain valuable work experience in a professional setting while earning money
- Develop the skills, attitudes, and commitment that are necessary to succeed in today’s workplace
- Gain exposure to various exciting career industries
- Interact and build a dynamic network with experts in their career fields
The application to the Mayor Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is now open and invites all DC youths to apply by March 6, 2025.
- New participant registration click here to apply.
- Returning participant registration click here to apply.
With hosts sites spanning Cybersecurity, Data Science, Arts, and Hospitality, SYEP bridges academic learning with hands-on job training, equipping participants with essential workplace skills. Organizations are encouraged to volunteer to serve as SYEP’s Host Employers, collaborating with the program to provide structured job opportunities for the young workers in the summer. Interested organizations can access the application HERE.
For more information about the program and resources for returning participants, please visit the website: https://summerjobs.dc.gov/page/mbsyep.