Step Up interns gain experience, confidence and career connections

Another amazing Step Up summer is in the books—and what a season it was! This year, 1,688 Minneapolis youth completed work readiness training and 1,332 students participated in paid internships or the online career exploration program, gaining valuable skills and experiences that will shape their futures. And Step Up youth earned $1.7 million in summer wages! 

Step Up internships gave students the chance to: 

• Gain hands-on job experience in real workplaces
• Try on different careers and discover new fields they may not have considered before
• Build resumes that set them apart for college and career opportunities
• Connect with professional mentors and networks that open doors for the future

And the impact is clear: Step Up interns enroll in college at rates 45% higher than their peers who do not participate in the program.

Step Up isn’t just life-changing for young people—it’s a powerful resource for employers, too. By partnering with Step Up, companies can:

• Identify and nurture emerging local talent
• Build stronger, more diverse workforce pipelines
• Welcome a new generation of leaders into their industries
• Make a real difference in their communities

Thank you to all of our 2025 Step Up employers, supervisors and community partners who made this summer such a success.

Want to make an impact and strengthen your own workforce? Learn how to become a Step Up employer.