Business

PRESS ROOM: Step Up Youth Program is Accepting Applications for Summer Internships

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER — Eligible Minneapolis youth ages 14-21 who are interested in participating in the 2019 class have until Feb. 10, 2019, to apply

Published

7 years ago

January 4, 2019

Oakland Post

By MSR News Online

The Step Up Youth Employment Program is now accepting applications for 2019 summer internship placements. Eligible Minneapolis youth ages 14-21 who are interested in participating in the 2019 class have until Feb. 10, 2019, to apply.

“Step Up is smart for our youth, it’s smart for our business and it’s smart for our region. It’s an opportunity to invest in the next generation,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “At a time when we have an enormous equity gap and a regional workforce shortage, Step Up is a solution to both.”

Step Up supports historically underrepresented youth in Minneapolis who are ready to navigate the professional world. The program helps organizations diversify their workforce and build a base of young, skilled workers for the entire region.

As one of the country’s leading youth employment programs, Step Up prepares Minneapolis youth for tomorrow’s careers by recruiting, training and placing nearly 1,600 young people in paid internships at more than 200 employers each year.

With a collective of partners spanning 15 industries and multiple sectors, the program unites businesses, schools, nonprofits, and the city together in a common goal: to build and strengthen the future economy and the talented youth who will power it.

After Step Up applicants are accepted to the program, they must complete work readiness training certified by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber, and then are matched with employers based on their skills and interests and the employers’ needs.

Interns work part or full-time from June 17 to August 16, and many also participate in additional professional development opportunities throughout the summer.

“Through Step Up, I learned that working is a learning process, and every day I learned more about my job,” said Step Up intern Amanuel, who worked at Mind Foundry Learning last summer. “I also benefited from the support of the Step Up staff. I am grateful to have been a part of a program that was so supportive and was kind enough to provide so many young adults with a high-level job that they wouldn’t find otherwise,”

“I’ve benefited from participating in the Step Up program by gaining experience as I get older,” said Ellis, who has completed three Step Up internships. “Each internship has moved me higher and expanded my career choices. Step Up has trained me to be independent and to be ready for my future.”

Step Up is a partnership of the City of Minneapolis, AchieveMpls, DEED, and Project for Pride in Living.

To learn more about the program or access the online Step Up application, go to http://bit.ly/StepUpProgram2019. You can also follow Step Up on Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat @STEPUPMpls or join the conversation at #STEPUPMpls.

—Information provided by the City of Minneapolis

This article originally appeared in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

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Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

Published

1 week ago

March 22, 2026

Oakland Post

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Advice

Financial Wellness and Mental Health: Managing Money Stress in College 

While everyone’s financial situation is unique, several common sources of stress have the potential to strain your financial health. These include financial and economic uncertainty, existing debts, unexpected expenses, and mental or physical health changes. Financial stress may differ from situation to situation, but understanding the factors contributing to yours may help you begin to craft a plan for your unique circumstances.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

As a college student, managing financial responsibilities can be stressful.

If you’ve found yourself staying up late thinking about your finances or just feeling anxious overall about your financial future, you’re not alone. In one survey, 78% of college students who reported financial stress had negative impacts on their mental health, and 59% considered dropping out. While finances can impact overall stress, taking steps to manage your finances can support your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

When it comes to money, the sources of stress may look different for each student, but identifying the underlying causes and setting goals accordingly may help you feel more confident about your financial future.

Consider these strategies to help improve your financial wellness and reduce stress.

Understand what causes financial stress

2. Determine your financial priorities

Start by reflecting on your financial priorities. For students this often includes paying for school or paying off student loans, studying abroad, saving for spring break, building an emergency fund, paying down credit card debt or buying a car. Name the milestones that are most important to you, and plan accordingly.

3. Create a plan and stick to it

While setting actionable goals starts you on the journey to better financial health, it’s essential to craft a plan to follow through. Identifying and committing to a savings plan may give you a greater sense of control over your finances, which may help reduce your stress. Creating and sticking to a budget allows you to better track where your money is going so you may spend less and save more.

4. Pay down debt

Many students have some form of debt and want to make progress toward reducing their debt obligations. One option is the debt avalanche method, which focuses on paying off your debt with the highest interest rate first, then moving on to the debt with the next-highest interest rate. Another is the debt snowball method, which builds momentum by paying off your smallest debt balance, and then working your way up to the largest amounts.

5. Build your financial resilience

Some financial stress may be inevitable, but building financial resilience may allow you to overcome obstacles more easily. The more you learn about managing your money, for instance, the more prepared you’ll feel if the unexpected happens. Growing your emergency savings also may increase resilience since you’ll be more financially prepared to cover unexpected expenses or pay your living expenses.

6. Seek help and support

Many colleges have resources to help students experiencing financial stress, like financial literacy courses or funds that provide some assistance for students in need. Talk to your admissions counselor or advisor about your concerns, and they can direct you to sources of support. Your school’s counseling center can also be a great resource for mental health assistance if you’re struggling with financial stress.

The bottom line

Financial stress can affect college students’ health and wellbeing, but it doesn’t have to derail your dreams. Setting smart financial goals and developing simple plans to achieve them may help ease your stress. Revisit and adjust your plan as needed to ensure it continues to work for you, and seek additional support on campus as needed to help keep you on track.

 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC