Young people who participate in YOU programs can benefit from opportunities for career pathway planning, hands-on project-based on learning, paid internships, networking, short-term training and credential opportunities and much more, all while getting paid.

MyCITY: Ages 14-21
The program runs from June 19 – August 4.

MyCITY is a summer youth employment program that serves as the gateway to paid internship and work experience. For just seven weeks this summer, you can get paid to explore as many career paths as you want, develop leadership skills, learn how to set goals and hold yourself accountable, and connect with employers in your community.

Career 101 (ages 14-15): Career exploration and pathway planning through hands-on work experience, project-based learning, academic opportunity exposure and career training.

Career 2.0 (ages 16-21): Gain real-world work experience through participation in internships with community employers, explore your current interests and take the next step toward your long-term career goals, plus training with our YOU staff.

Program eligibility includes: 

• Must be 14- to 21-years old as of June 20, 2023
• City resident of Kalamazoo
• Time commitment of 15-20 hours per week at $10.50 per hour

MyCITY 2Gen: Families
The program runs from June 13 – August 15.

MyCITY 2Gen is a paid career exploration and pathway planning program for Kalamazoo families. During this 9- week program, youth ages 14-17 and an adult in their household will explore their strengths, set goals, learn about opportunities in the community, and build a network of support with other families. 

Program eligibility includes: 

• Youth 14-17 and an adult in the household
• City of Kalamazoo Resident
• Able to commit to the 9 program sessions + orientation
• Able to commit 2-3 hours per week
• Monetary stipend awarded at completion of the program

CareerNOW: Ages 18-24
Start dates vary by training type.

CareerNOW is a free, hands-on, short-term career training program open to individuals in Kalamazoo County who are interested in obtaining an industry-recognized credential. The certification programs through CareerNOW are all state- and nationally- recognized certifications/credentials. Training programs are selected based on participant interest and industry demand.

Examples of short-term training programs include: 

• • Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
  • Phlebotomy
  • Patient Care Aide (PCA)
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
  • Welding/Skilled Trades
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Pre-Apprenticeships/Apprenticeships