Step Up is one of the nation's leading youth employment programs.
About Step Up
Step Up is a collective of support that unites businesses, schools, nonprofits and the city together in a common goal: to build and strengthen our future economy and the talented youth who will power it.
We help companies identify and nurture new talent, diversify their workforce and build a competitive pipeline of young, skilled workers for the entire region. Since 2003, Step Up has provided over 34,000 paid experiences in partnership with businesses large and small.
Through Step Up, young people get their foot in the door, discover new careers and demonstrate what they’re capable of. Their unique voices and ideas can change the future of work.
As an employer, you play a critical role in helping young people prepare for their future. With your partnership and support, we can equip young people to gain the confidence and skills they need for great careers and leadership in our community.
From the most basic to the most advanced tasks, our team will support you in creating high-quality internships that are a good fit for your organization. We’ll work with you to determine the best fit and skill set so our interns can make the greatest impact at your workplace.
Step Up is a partnership of the City of Minneapolis, Achieve Twin Cities, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and Project for Pride in Living.
Our Employer Partners
Step Up collaborates with over 100 top Twin Cities companies, public agencies and nonprofit organizations each year to provide 1,300 high-quality career experiences for Minneapolis youth.
See our employers in action
Step Up Benefits for Employers
Talent Pipeline
Help build a competitive regional workforce. You might even discover some future full-time employees!
Industry Diversity
Introduce dynamic, diverse youth to your profession.
Address Equity Gaps
Step Up helps address our community's wide disparities in career and education access by BIPOC youth.
Fresh Ideas
Bring energy, new skills and youthful perspective to your workplace.
Professional Development
Give your junior staff a first-time supervisory experience.
Work = Done
Interns do real work. 97% of supervisors say Step Up was a success at their organization.
Job Coach Support
You'll receive support from one of our Step Up job coaches and benefit from our 20+ years of program experience.
How to Hire a Step Up Intern
Get Started
Step Up interns are Minneapolis youth ages 14-21. Contact our Step Up team to discuss internship opportunities at your company and submit a pledge form.
Job Description Forms (JDF) Due
Our team will provide job description forms for you to submit for each unique internship position at your organization.
Intern Placement
We'll work with you to match interns with your company based on their interests and skills and the needs of your organization.
Supervisor Orientation
We'll equip you with the tools you need to support your intern for a productive and fun summer.
Internships Start
Our standard internships run eight weeks, but you can provide a 6-10 week experience. Interns are paid at least $16.50 per hour.
Internships End
Hundreds of Step Up interns, supervisors and community leaders come together for our annual end-of-summer celebration to mark another year of internships!
Step Up Level 2 Employer Resources
Step Up Program Overview
Learn how you can participate in one of the nation’s premier youth employment programs.
Employer Roadmap for Hiring Step Up Interns
Here are details on participating in Step Up, including program timelines, the hiring process and staff contacts.
Download our Step Up employer roadmap and FAQs.
How to Create a High Quality Job Description Guide
Once our Step Up employers "pledge" an internship, our team sends out the official online job description form. Before then, you can get started by learning how to craft a strong description.
Step Up Remote Internships Tips
Step Up now offers remote internship opportunities. Find out how to create a successful remote internship and provide support to your intern.
Step Up Job Description Library
Imagine what Step Up can look like at your company! Explore high-quality job descriptions from previous Step Up internships in over a dozen functional areas from 15 industries.
Intern Job Pledge Form (Level 2)
You'll complete this form to pledge Step Up internships at your organization. Check back soon for our 2025 form.
Questions?
Contact Scott Kosloski at 612-455-1535.
“Our Step Up interns give us an inspiring preview of our future workforce here at the Fed and in the Twin Cities: bright, motivated leaders who have a rich variety of skills, talents and life experiences to share with us. As we prepare for our summer interns each year, we’re thinking about how the work of our past interns helped us throughout the year. We learn as much from them as they do from us.”