Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP)

The goal of MSYEP is to serve as a young person's first job experience and exposure to the world of work. The program is open to Cambridge residents ages 14 through the summer after completing high school.

Teens are placed in public sector and non-profit jobs throughout Cambridge and in surrounding communities for six weeks during the summer. They work 20 hours a week and are paid minimum wage by the City. Nearly half of the youth are placed in Summer Work and Learning sites, which offer participants a valuable educational and employment experience using the community’s resources to expose youth to potential educational or career paths.

All youth participate in skill-building workshops for one hour each week and have the opportunity to attend college tours, financial literacy training, and a variety of program-sponsored social events during the summer.

Information about MSYEP 2023 will be added to this webpage in early spring 2023.
If you have questions about MSYEP or would like help finding a school year job, please email msyepapp@cambridgema.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the eligibility requirements for applying to MSYEP?

Applicants must be Cambridge residents
Applicants must be eligible to work in the US in order to get paid

What is the process for applying to MSYEP?

1. Students will apply online through DHSP’s online registration system, Trax.
* Priority will be given to students eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch and those from lower-income families.
2. All applications will go to a waitlist so that MSYEP staff can review applications. The waitlist does not mean that the activity is already filled to capacity.
3. Students who have been accepted into the program will be asked to schedule an in-person appointment to complete their hiring paperwork, starting April 25.
4. All students will need to provide the following hiring paperwork:
* Social Security card or Birth Certificate
* Either a valid passport or permanent resident card OR a school or medical record

Do MSYEP students need to attend all 6 weeks of the program?

Students can miss no more than one week of the program.

What kinds of work experiences are available through the MSYEP Program?

A variety of work experiences are available, including:

Working with senior citizens
Working with children in camps, daycares, or preschool programs
Peer leadership and support
Arts, theater, and music
Office / Library work
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Media / web production
Landscaping and outdoor maintenance
Physical fitness
Academic enrichment

Students indicate the kind of work they are interested in on their MSYEP application, but they are not guaranteed a placement in their area of interest.