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Summer Jobs
Work Permits
For Work Permits:
- If you go to a BPS school or a charter school, please see your school for the Youth Work Permit process.
- If you are a resident of Boston and do not attend a BPS school, or it is during summer months when our schools are closed please complete this form. Once completed a Registration Specialist will contact you within two business days regarding the next steps for your work permit.
In partnership with the Boston Private Industry Council and area employers, the City of Boston helps place teens in summer jobs throughout the city.
- Boston Private Industry Council summer jobs program
- SuccessLink (Boston Department of Youth Engagement & Employment)
- ABCD SummerWorks
Partner with SuccessLink to develop Boston’s youth workforce.
City of Boston partners link for summer jobs
Artists For Humanity, Inc.
Youth Arts Enterprise
Artists for Humanity employs teens in Painting, Graphic Design, Photography, Video, and Event Production, Animation and Motion Design, and 3D Design. Come work with a variety of fine art and design mediums in a creative setting. Work collaboratively with professional artists and designers, earn an hourly wage and learn new skills—all while providing creative services for our clients. Artistic experience isn’t necessary, but a passion for creativity and learning on the job is.
Website: www.afhboston.org/teen-jobs
Camp Cedar Hill, Waltham
Summer Camp Counselor for Girl Scouts in grades K-8
Located just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Boston on 75 acres of natural beauty, Camp Cedar Hill in Waltham welcomes girls entering kindergarten through 12th grade the experience of summer camp. Camp staff will supervise campers as they enjoy archery, swimming in two pools, boating on the pond, high and low ropes challenge courses, and the alpine climbing tower—not to mention favorite camp activities like singalongs, and crafts.
Website: www.gsema.org/cedarhill
Digital Ready
Summer Studios
Interested in pursuing a STEM degree or career? Summer Studios gives students the opportunity to earn college credits and get paid for it. Students take classes in one of three early college pathways - architecture + design technology, engineering technology, or computer science. Students also can live on a college campus and build relationships with industry partners in Boston's innovation economy.
Website: www.digitalready.org
Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site
Stewards of the Future
Stewards of the Future focuses on the sights, sounds, and stories of our Tri-site parks: Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site, and their connections to public lands as democratic spaces. Stewards work together and independently to research, develop, and lead talks for visitors. The program is expected to be in-person if health and safety protocols allow. The final project focuses on the key site figures and their connection to democratic spaces. Stewards will consider how these views influenced concurrent or future thinkers and decisions.
Fresh Films Boston Summer Film Program
Hands-on Filmmaking for Boston Teens Ages 14-18
Apply today to build film skills and learn the ins and outs of filmmaking with real industry professionals! This is a PAID, 5 week-long summer film training program for Boston Public High School Students! No experience necessary and space is limited, so APPLY NOW!
You will walk away from this program with new skills, new friends and 4 new film projects to add to your portfolio! Jump start your future college and career plans this summer!
Website: freshfilms.org/boston/
Friends of the Public Garden
Summer Youth Team
The Summer Youth Team was created to nurture the next generation of park lovers. In addition to gaining hands-on experience in horticulture and parks care, participants will be exposed to a range of parks-related and green careers, gain a greater understanding of urban greenspace issues, and help our organization fulfill our vision of nurturing
welcoming and accessible parks for all. Teach offers a 6-week summer teaching fellowship designed for high school and college students who are interested in a hands-on and immersive summer teaching experience. Teaching fellows teach and lead classrooms of small groups of students in grades 3-8 and receive daily coaching and support.
Website: friendsofthepublicgarden.org
Generation Teach, Inc.
Boston Summer Teaching Fellowship
Generation Teach offers a 6-week summer teaching fellowship designed for high school and college students who are interested in a hands-on and immersive summer teaching experience. Teaching fellows teach and lead classrooms of small groups of students in grades 3-8 and receive daily coaching and support.
Website: www.generationteach.org
One Waterfront
Trustees Waterfront Ambassadors
The Trustees Waterfront Ambassadors is a meaningful youth employment program based in East Boston focusing on engaging the local community on waterfront issues. Ambassadors learn about the Boston Waterfront Initiative and how it relates to their neighborhoods and communities. Ambassadors also learn about the work being done in East Boston and across the city on waterfront issues such as climate resilience, green infrastructure, and public access. The Ambassadors engage with The Trustees Boston Waterfront Initiative’s Piers Park III project in East Boston and work to gather ideas and input from the community, with a focus on Boston youth, to inform the project’s future progress.
This year’s program features a collaboration with other local harbor-focused and environmental organizations and programs in Greater Boston and a variety of job-readiness and other enrichment sessions.
Website: onewaterfront.thetrustees.org/ambassadors
WriteBoston
Teens in Print’s Summer Journalism Institute
Participants learn to critically analyze today's news stories and create their own. By the end of the six weeks, they walk away with a deep understanding of journalism, plus multiple published articles. Participants have the opportunity to be paid (up to $300 per week) or receive volunteer hours.
Enrollment: All interested students must be registered in the Successlink Summer Employment Program. Once you have registered (or updated your existing student profile) on Successlink, select Teen in Print's Summer Journalism Institute as your desired work site. All candidates will be invited for a virtual interview with the WriteBoston office. Students will be notified by BCYF with an offer and will then be required to complete onboarding paperwork.
Website: www.writeboston.org
YMCA
Youth Employment Commitment – Meaningful Employment
We prepare young people for the workforce through youth employment opportunities. Entry-level positions include, but are not limited to, lifeguard, swim instructor, sports instructor, child watch leader, camp counselor, and more!
For Ages 16+
Roxbury YMCA
617-318-1416
Dorchester YMCA
617-436-7750 x1816
Menino YMCA (Hyde Park)
617-992-8255
Charlestown YMCA
781-808-8026
Egleston/Achievers YMCA
781-808-8026
Huntington YMCA
617-927-8139
Wang YMCA (Chinatown)
617-904-6168
East Boston YMCA
617-418-8321
Oak Square YMCA
781-670-0135
Parkway YMCA (West Roxbury)
781-727-0773
*Did you know that if you apply for DYEE, ABCD, or PIC employment you could be placed at your local YMCA for a position? Ask your local agency about the YMCA if you want to spend your summer with us.
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Internships
Apprentice Learning
Workplace Exploration
City Summer Internship is a five-week paid internship where rising ninth-grade girls explore STEAM and other careers where women are under-represented while building professional skills for success.
Website: apprenticelearning.org/programs
Boston Partners in Education
John Hancock MLK Summer Scholars
Boston Partners in Education is accepting applications for summer interns through the John Hancock MLK Summer Scholars program.
Three interns support recruitment and outreach and contribute to the Boston Partners blog and social media account. Interns also receive professional development through in-office training, supervision, and John Hancock’s own bi-weekly Mayor Wu Leadership Forums.
Website: John Hancock MLK Summer Scholars
CSTO Media Makers Program
This media and design-based program uses social justice as a catalyst for art-making and workforce development. The Teen Program engineers a foundation of learning, builds workforce skills, and provides exciting opportunities while fostering engaged citizens. Held in CSTO's safe spaces, our young people develop healthy relationships with their peers and adults while learning the necessary skills to become successful, thriving members of society.
Website: www.cstoboston.org/teen-program
We have a lot of fun at work and get a lot done. In exchange for your hard work, you'll get an insider's look at the Boston creative writing scene, free GrubStreet classes, and some valuable new skills. This is an excellent opportunity for students, recent grads, and anyone interested in nonprofit work and the arts. Jobs include Operations Intern, Boston Writers of Color and Community Programs Intern, and Young Adult Writing Program Intern.
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Volunteer
African Community Economic Development of New England
Boston Medical Center
Junior Summer Volunteer Program
JSVP is being split into two tracts this year.
The first track, volunteering, begins July 1. Students volunteer on BMC’s campus in July and August. Students commit to one three-hour volunteer shift each week.
The second track is a fully remote educational intensive beginning on August 1. The educational intensive consists of two to three one-hour lectures each week. Students follow an assigned patient scenario and learn firsthand from BMC professionals.
Website: www.bmc.org/volunteer-services
Other Job Opportunities
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Americorps National Civilian Community Corps
Are you looking for a job where you can serve the community in a meaningful way? If you are 18 or older, the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) may be for you. As a member of an NCCC team, you live away from home as you work on environmental projects, education, public safety, disaster relief, and other important jobs. This is a 10-month commitment—not a summer job—and members must complete 1,700 hours of community service. NCCC provides training, housing, meals, medical coverage, child care, and uniforms to young adults ages 18-24 who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. They earn a stipend and also get an education award for college, graduate school, or training programs.
Contact: 800-942-2677 or by web form, questions.nationalservice.gov
Website: www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-nccc
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City Year
City Year is a FULL-TIME program whose mission is to help students reach their full potential and significantly increase the nation's high school graduation rate. This is an opportunity for 17- to 24-year-olds to work for 11 months with students in an elementary, middle, or high school in Boston (or in 25 other cities in the US) by being a tutor, mentor, and role model. The day of a City Year AmeriCorps member is spent tutoring students who are at risk of dropping out of high school, running after-school programs, and supporting teachers in the classroom.
Contact: Recruitment Department, 617-927-2500, NortheastRecruitment@cityyear.org
Website: CityYear.org
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Job Corps
Job Corps is the nation's largest career technical training and education program for people ages 16 through 24. Students can earn a high school diploma, a high school equivalency credential, or college credits through Job Corps. Job Corps offers career technical training in more than 100 career areas. Students receive housing, meals, basic health care, a living allowance, training, and preparation for a career, all at no cost. For up to 21 months after graduation, a career transition counselor will help you make the transition from Job Corps into the real world.
Contact: 1-800-733-JOBS (5627)
Website: www.jobcorps.gov
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Apply for a Social Security Card
A lot of programs for teens require that you have a Social Security number. If you don’t have one and you’re under age 18, you can apply by mail, get an application online, or go in-person to a Social Security office.
If you are over 18, you must apply in person. Bring a birth certificate and some other identification, such as a copy of your medical or school records. If you are from another country, also bring your passport (and your “green card” if you have one).
1-800-772-1213 | ssa.gov
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How to get a Work Permit
For Work Permits, please complete this form. Once completed, a Registration Specialist will contact you within two business days regarding the next steps for your work permit.
BPS students can get work permits from their Guidance Counselor. Non-BPS students can get them through Welcome Services using the form above.
During summer vacation, please use the form above.
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Get an ID
If you are 18 years old, get a picture identification (ID) card from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. You can get a picture ID even if you don't have a driver's license. mass.gov/rmv
If you’re a male and ages 18-25, you must register with the Selective Service System to be eligible for many summer programs and for all college financial aid. Pick up forms at any post office or register online: sss.gov
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Register to Vote
If you’re 18 years old, you should register to vote.
cityofboston.gov/elections/vote
