Youth internship program grows
DeKalb Summer Youth Employment Program (DSYEP) will accept an additional 100 interns in 2026, with loosened application criteria, as county officials plan to give out 450 internships this summer.
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, in partnership with the DeKalb County board of commissioners and WorkSource DeKalb, announced the return of DSYEP for 2026.
The program will run from June 1–July 10, providing 450 youth interns across DeKalb County with what a news release called “valuable work experience and professional development opportunities in industries such as healthcare, education, technology, retail, and government.”
DSYEP is designed to prepare young residents for the workforce by offering hands-on experience, skill development, and exposure to career pathways that support long-term success, according to county officials. Additionally, county officials are accepting applications from residents up to 24 years old, after the cut off in 2025 was 21 years old.
The internships come with $15 per hour pay and up to 24 hours of work per week from Mondays through Thursdays. The news release adds that the selection process is a random lottery system to ensure fairness and equal opportunity
Eligibility requirements include that applicants:
- Must be a DeKalb County resident.
- Must be between the ages of 16–24.
- Must complete all required onboarding steps, including applicable screening.
Applications for the 2026 DSYEP opened on April 3 and close on April 24. Interested participants can apply online at dekalbcountyga.gov/dsyep.
“Our youth are the future of DeKalb County, and the DeKalb Summer Youth Employment Program is a powerful investment in their success,” said Cochran-Johnson. “By providing meaningful work experiences and exposure to career opportunities, we are helping to build a stronger, more prepared workforce for tomorrow.”
For more information or help with registration, please visit dekalbcountyga.gov/dsyep or contact Alanna Hicks-King, workforce development manager, at ahicksking@dekalbcountyga.gov or (470) 572-8229.
