Summer of Opportunity Program (SOOP)

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The City of Rochester is partnering with RochesterWorks to offer employment and internships through the Summer of Opportunity Program/Summer Youth Employment Program (SOOP/SYEP) for youth ages 14–20. Gain real-world experience with a diverse range of employers and internship partners from the greater Rochester community. The program provides six to eight weeks of paid employment opportunities for youth currently enrolled in middle school, high school, or actively pursuing a high school equivalency. 

 

How to apply:

Applications are being accepted now until all vacancies are filled so apply today!  In order to complete the application students will need to have the following documents:

  1. Work permit (For guidance on obtaining a work permit, click here)
  2. Social Security Card (If you don't have one, click here to get one)
  3. Application Signature Report, click here
  4. Valid photo identification issued by a government agency (Driver's License, DMV non-driver I.D., School I.D.) 
  5. Most Recent Official Report Card (screenshots and progress reports are not accepted)

Upon successful completion of the application process, applicants will have the opportunity to interview for paid summer jobs or internships. Selection for this program is competitive, and not every applicant is guaranteed a job. 

 

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For more information, call 585-428-6366 or email SOOP@cityofrochester.gov.  

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Summer of Opportunity Program?

Youth Employment Services offers the Summer of Opportunity Program (SOOP) to City residents ages 14-20. SOOP operates in collaboration with the RochesterWorks Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) through marketing and a joint youth application. The primary difference between the two programs is eligibility. SYEP requires applicants to meet residency and income guidelines. SOOP only requires residency within the City, no matter which school applicants attend or the family income. All applicants must be enrolled in middle school, high school, or a high school equivalency program (TASC).

What is the Summer Internship?

SOOP operates every July and August providing work readiness training and employment opportunities to youth. Students must complete the application process, including the submission of required documents, and determination of eligibility. After completing all steps, applicants are assigned to either SOOP or SYEP to continue the process. We refer successful applicants to organizations in the public, not-for-profit, faith-based, and private sectors. For many youth, this is their first opportunity to gain real-world work experience.

When does the program take place?

The application opens yearly on February 1st. We will refer youth to you for interviews and continue their onboarding after you have made your selections. Selected youth will begin their internships
the week of July 8, 2024. Interns are required to complete the full six weeks of participation with a maximum of 20 hours per week.
 

  How do I participate?

We actively recruit host sites throughout the community that can provide real-world work experiences to SOOP interns. Interested organizations must complete an Intern Request Form for consideration. For more information, contact Youth Employment Services (YES) at (585) 428-6366 or soop@cityofrochester.gov. Click here to download SOOP Intern Request Form 2024

Do I have to pay my intern(s)?

NO! Interns receive a weekly stipend from the City of Rochester. Host sites are responsible for providing their interns with 20 hours of meaningful work experience through coaching and mentoring for the full six weeks. Hosts also track intern hours. Youth Employment Services will provide follow-up job coaching to ensure that both program participants and SOOP partners have a beneficial and enjoyable experience.

Contact

If you have questions, email SOOP@CITYOFROCHESTER.GOV  or call 585-428-6366.

 

Information for Youth

Video Tutorials

Part 1: Youth Summer Employment Webinar

 

Part 2: Completing the SOOP/SYEP Application

 

Part 3: Document Upload Through DocCollect

 

 

 


 

 

 

Additional Resources:  

Summer Of Opportunity Program's Frequently Asked Questions: Click Here to download FAQ

Resume tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj9d64QcQPQ

How to dress for a job interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM8Stzk_jxs

Tips for your first job interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTHAZhxT4gg

Tips for ZOOM interviews https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRAHP7oWfMY