Become a Step Up Employer

Step Up helps companies identify and nurture young talent, welcome a diverse new generation and make a difference in their communities.

Link to youth participant info

 

Adult and interns sitting together at table looking at laptop screen

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.

Downtown

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.

Meet our step Up employers

See our employers in action

Step Up supervisor and intern

Meet some of our dedicated Step Up supervisors and champions in our employer video.

Xcel Energy Step Up intern and supervisor

Large businesses that hire 40+ interns can offer a wide variety of internship experiences across multiple departments. 

Intern and supervisor at Mercury Mosaics

Smaller companies that hire one or more interns can provide an insider's look at entrepreneurship. 

Interns at Migizi

Nonprofit organizations can help young people learn about new opportunities in local communities. 

Step Up interns at Minneapolis City Hall

Government agencies that hire Step Up interns can instill a commitment to service in a new generation.

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

NOW

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. 

MAR

Job Description Forms (JDF) Due

Our team will provide job description forms for you to submit for each unique internship position at your organization.

MAY

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.

MAY

Supervisor Orientation

We'll equip you with the tools you need to support your intern for a productive and fun summer. 

JUN

Internships Start

Our standard internships run eight weeks, but you can provide a 6-10 week experience. Interns are paid at least $16.00 per hour.  

AUG

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. 

Download our 2024 employer flyer.

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. 

Download our guide.

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.

Download our remote tips and tricks.

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.

Download our library.

Intern Job Pledge Form (Level 2)

Complete this form to pledge Step Up internships at your organization.

Complete our online 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.” 

 

Amy Kramer Brenengen, Project Director for the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
College intern at desk in office, smiling at the camera

Learn about
Achieve College Internships.