SYEP Site Host FAQs
SYEP Site Host FAQs
Questions about participating in the JA Summer Youth Employment Program? We have a comprehensive list to common questions from prospective and current host site partners. For additional questions, please contact Madeline Bowen at mbowen@jasandiego.org.
SYEP Host Site FAQs
Questions about participating in the JA Summer Youth Employment Program? We have a comprehensive list to common questions from prospective and current host site partners. For additional questions, please contact Madeline Bowen at mbowen@jasandiego.org.
Program Overview
SYEP is a paid summer internship program that places high school students in paid employment experiences for 2-6 weeks. Students develop workplace skills, explore careers, and complete a capstone project. JA San Diego recruits, prepares, matches, and supports students throughout the program.
Students are typically rising juniors and seniors who voluntarily opt into the program. They complete career readiness training through JA, learn workplace expectations, and prepare for roles before being matched with host sites.
All students have opted into the program and have participated in career readiness training provided by JA. They are prepared with basic professional skills, workplace expectations, and an understanding of how to engage meaningfully with your team.
JA San Diego provides work readiness and professional skills training to students in preparation for their employment experience. JA San Diego will work closely with you to ensure a successful experience for your team and student participants.
Participating in SYEP
Host sites must confirm their participation in the upcoming SYEP cohort in February. Students begin their work experiences in June-July, typically working for 2-6 weeks depending on the host site schedule.
Most students work 20-30 hours per week. Days and hours worked can vary from week to week based on the host site schedule and needs as long as the experience falls within the designated SYEP timeframe in June-July.
To host a successful youth employment experience, your organization must have a structured workspace, meaningful tasks or projects, and at least one staff member available to supervise and mentor. JA will provide guidance to help you plan tasks, develop a schedule, and create an engaging experience tailored to your organization.
For the 2026 cohort, the cost of hosting one student for the two-week minimum is $1,524. Please note that compensation for student wages will be a shared cost between JA and host site partners. Connect with the JA team to discuss the specific cost of participating in SYEP for your company.
No, employers do not need to hire students as employees. JA partners with a third-party staffing agency that manages onboarding, payroll, and liability, so students do not become employees of the host company.
JA uses a third-party staffing agency to handle all onboarding, payroll, and liability. Host sites do not need to fully onboard students or manage employment paperwork.
If there are additional site-specific requirements for your site, JA will help facilitate these before the student starts.
Host site partners are responsible for the following:
- A safe, structured work environment
- Provide students with meaningful tasks or projects
- Assign a supervisor or mentor for students
- Determine weekly schedule for students
- Workspace and technology access as needed
- Feedback at the midpoint and end of the internship
Employers typically host 1-25 students, depending on company size and capacity. JA San Diego can help host sites determine the number of numbers that would best fit.
Students can participate in job shadowing, professional development workshops, and take on work assignments that support the company’s goals. Students are prepared to support a range of departments and teams within a company, including administrative tasks, research & data analysis, marketing & social media, events, customer service, and other project-based assignments.
Offering a mix of hands-on tasks, projects, and exposure opportunities can enhance the student experience.
For specific task ideas and other helpful tips, check out our Supervising Students Resource Guide and Student Projects Resource Guide.
All students will complete a Capstone Project to reflect, synthesize, and demonstrate what they learned during their summer experience. Employers are expected to schedule time for students to work on their projects during their working hours.
For more information on the Capstone Project, check out our Student Projects Resource Guide.
The Value of SYEP
Hosting students helps: Build future talent pipelines, Strengthen the local workforce, Expand economic opportunity, Support community engagement goals, Inspire the next generation of professionals
Employers who have participated in SYEP have report the following benefits:
- Increased leadership and mentorship skills
- Renewed energy and engagement
- Pride in community contribution
- Opportunities for professional development
Read the full San Diego EDC Employer Intern Host Report.
Hosting a student provides several benefits: extra support for your team, fresh perspectives and ideas, opportunities for staff to develop leadership and mentoring skills, and the chance to contribute to workforce development in your community. Students can assist with meaningful projects and daily tasks while learning professional skills that prepare them for future careers.