PYNtern Program (Now Enrolling)

The PYNtern Program is a paid work-based learning program that connects young people (14-18) to real-world work experiences while building the professional skills, mentorship, and career pathways needed for long-term success.

What To Expect

Apply Now

Become a Youth Worksite!

Get paid up to $1,500 for a 6-8 week experience!

Now Recruiting for Summer + Fall 2026

What Is the PYNtern Program?

The PYNtern Program is Philadelphia Youth Network’s flagship work-based learning program, designed to help young people gain confidence while exploring careers, building professional skills, and participating in paid internship experiences in supportive workplace environments.
Serving primarily high school–aged youth (rising 9th - 12th grade), the PYNtern program is a year-round, career-connected learning model that combines paid internships with professional development training classes, mentoring, and individualized career coaching.
Each year, the program supports approximately 400 paid internship and career exposure opportunities across multiple cohorts, with experiences lasting between 6 and 12 weeks.
Through a tiered model that moves from early career exploration to immersive internship experiences, the PYNtern Program prepares young people for the world of work while connecting them to longer-term career pathways beyond high school. Apply today!

Looking for Information on WorkReady?

PYN's Historic WorkReady program has evolved! As of 2024, Philadelphia's large scale Summer Youth Employment Program is now called C2L-PHL.
Career Connected Learning Philadelphia (C2L PHL) hosts roughly 8,000 city-funded jobs every summer with the help of organizations like PYN.
Applications for the city's pool of open summer job slots usually opens Late April / Early May.
PYN's PYNtern program offers nearly 400 high level internships each year that are year round, and represent the most intensive internship and career development opportunities our city has to offer!

What To Expect:

Paid Work Experience

Classroom Learning

Career Exposure

Career Coaching + Mentorship

Professional Skills Development

Financial Literacy + Empowerment

Unique + Diverse Worksites

Resume Building + Interview Prep

Program Timeline:

Summer Cohort

Applications Open - Early March

Program Dates | June - August

Fall / Winter Cohort

Applications Open - Early August

Program Dates | October - December

Winter / Spring Cohort

Applications Open - November

Program Dates | January - March

Anchor 2

Junior PYNtern

Rising 9th - 10th graders

6-8 Weeks

Focused on early exposure careers and post secondary pathways, rising 9th and 10th graders should expect largely classroom based instruction focused on exposure to different pathways, professions, and a general introduction to the “world of work”.
Program content is focused on building foundational professional skills (including workplace etiquette, professional project planning, workplace tools, financial literacy professional software, etc.).
Industry tours, worksite visits, guest speakers, career panels, and exposure opportunities to diverse jobs and career pathways and more.
Focused professional writing, communication, and project based learning.
Social-emotional skill development and confidence-building.
Intensive Financial Literacy training, exposure and practice.

Senior PYNtern

For Rising 11th - 12th graders

6-8 Weeks

Designed as a foundational “foot in the door” workforce experience, Senior PYNterns participate in a hybrid model that blends weekly classroom-based professional skills development with approximately 100 hours of paid, hands-on worksite experience across Philadelphia
Participants attend weekly professional development sessions focused on advanced workplace competencies, including professional communication, time and project management, digital tools and workplace technology, financial literacy, and career pathway planning aligned to postsecondary goals
Intentional networking opportunities are embedded throughout the experience, including supervisor mentorship, exposure to cross-departmental staff, career conversations, and opportunities to build long-term professional relationships.
Students leave the program with documented work experience, strengthened professional networks, refined resumes, and clearer postsecondary and career pathway planning grounded in applied learning.

Depending on hours worked and milestones completed, participants can earn up to $1500 for their participation.

Anchor 1

Interested? Complete this form to receive your application instructions.

Become a PYN Employer Partner

Philadelphia Youth Network’s (PYN) PYNtern Program connects local employers with motivated, work-ready Philadelphia high school students through paid internships that create value for your business today—and your workforce tomorrow.

Learn More