DeKalb Opens 750 Paid Virtual Summer Jobs For Youth

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — Applications are now open for DeKalb County's virtual career academy for county residents age 14-24.

DeKalb youth have until 5 p.m. May 11 to apply for one of the county's 750 paid internships, which run from June 7 through July 9. Those accepted into the program — which is done through a lottery system — will earn $9 per hour and can work up to 20 hours per week.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to make it difficult for DeKalb County youth to find summer jobs and internships,” DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said in a news release. “Again, this year, DeKalb County will fill this training and financial gap by offering our summer jobs program as a virtual career academy.”

This is the fifth year DeKalb County has offered the summer youth job program, but the second consecutive year that it's had to move to a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The academy features six virtual components: academic enrichment, academic counseling and support, career preparation training, credentialing training, GED preparation and motivational/empowerment training.

The program is a collaborative partnership with the county, DeKalb County School District, Georgia Piedmont Technical College, WorkSource DeKalb, community resource agencies and public and private partners.

“We appreciate this partnership with DeKalb County that assists our scholars with gaining summer employment and internships,” DeKalb Schools Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris said in the release. “This program will ensure that our scholars are career-ready with the training and skills required for an evolving workforce.”

Questions about the internship program should be directed to Desjané Venable at dvenable@dekalbcountyga.gov or call 404-687-3400.

You can apply for the program online here.