Step Up
has provided
over 34,000 paid internships
with businesses
large and small.
Why host a Step Up intern?
Step Up helps organizations introduce talented future professionals to their industries and businesses, while providing young people with the opportunity to explore their passions, develop critical skills and forge meaningful connections with industry professionals.
As an employer, you play a critical role in helping young people prepare for their future. With your partnership and support, Step Up equips young people with the confidence and skills they need for great careers and leadership in our community.
Join us in building and strengthening our future economy and the talented youth who will power it!
Step Up Benefits for Employers
Develop Tomorrow's Workforce
Step Up employers make a difference in the lives of young people by providing mentorship and opportunities for a new generation of professionals.
Cultivate Workplace Excellence
Compete in the global market by hiring dynamic youth with fresh perspectives and ideas.
Provide professional development
Launch young careers and provide your junior staff with the opportunity to be supervisors for the first time.
Position yourself as a community leader.
Join the difference-makers across industries who have hired over 34,000 Twin Cities Step Up interns.
Step Up Employer Partners
Step Up collaborates with over 100 top Twin Cities companies, public agencies and nonprofit organizations each year to provide over 1,000 high-quality career experiences for Minneapolis youth each year.
See our employers in action
Host a Step Up Pro Intern
Achieve Twin Cities manages the Step Up Pro program level for students who are age 16- to 21-years-old and:
- Have previous work experience
- Are ready for an advanced, career-focused internship
- Want to take on new challenges and grow their skills.
Step Up Pro employers:
- Directly hire interns as paid summer staff
- Provide advanced, industry-specific internship experiences
- Assign high-quality projects for interns and provide in-depth workplace mentorship
- Receive dedicated staff support for supervisors and interns throughout the internship experience
Questions?
- Contact Andrew Peterson, Program Manager for External Engagement, at 612-455-1540 or via email.
Interested in hosting a younger intern or providing first work experience for an intern?
Learn more about Step Up Foundations
How to Hire a Step Up Intern
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!
“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.”
Step Up is a partnership of the City of Minneapolis, Achieve Twin Cities and Project for Pride in Living.
Step Up Level 2 Employer Resources
Step Up Program Overview
Check back for our 2026 flyer to learn how you can participate in one of the nation’s premier youth employment programs.
Employer Roadmap for Hiring Step Up Interns
Check back for details on participating in Step Up in 2026, including program timelines, the hiring process and staff contacts.
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.
Step Up Roles at Your Organization to Ensure Intern Success
Learn about the roles of Step Up champions, main contacts, supervisors and mentors at your organization and how they can support intern success.
Questions?
Contact Andrew Peterson, Program Manager for External Engagement, at 612-455-1540 or via email.
