Office of Youth Employment and Opportunity Opens 2025 Summer Jobs Portal. Zoo, Aquarium, Harbor Islands All Hiring!

Your first job usually sucks. Whether you’re babysitting, bussing tables at a local restaurant, or having some weird under-the-table gig through a family friend, a summer job is a big step toward adulthood, allowing teens to start making their own purchases and preparing for what might come after high school.

To make your first employment experience a bit more constructive, the Office of Youth Employment and Opportunity’s (OYEO) SuccessLink summer jobs program offers employment to every high school student in the city who wants it. Per their 2024 Impact Report, they hired over 10,000 teens to work across city departments, non-profits, and local businesses last year.

“There’s a wide variety of sectors and industries that are represented through the Success Link program,” said OYEO Deputy Director Adeola Ebekozien. “From the arts and culture space to community and social assistance to public service, public administration, STEM-related opportunities, healthcare, and sports.”

Some of the flashier opportunities include roles at Boston Fire Teen Academy, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and Save The Harbor, Save The Bay.

By offering Boston teens summer work that overlaps with their career interests more than a part-time job at Dunkin Donuts, the city hopes to create new opportunities that break down barriers and inspire Boston students. “You might be 14, you might be 15, but you’re not too young for you to start to view what career exploration might look like for your future,” said Ebekozien.

The sign-up process has been streamlined, with a guide available here. The only requirements are to be a resident of Boston, within the program’s age range, and either enrolled in school or on track to complete your GED. Applicants under 16 on their first day of work must also complete a work permit.

Applicants are encouraged to be proactive with reaching out to employers – A phone call might be awkward, but you get a more expedient response than an email.

While many positions are conventional part-time jobs, several are more focused on paid internships. Others may offer cool perks on top of the paycheck. A role with the Parks and Recreation Department brags, “Attend concerts and movies. Help with arts and crafts workshops. Promote events. Parks!”

Different jobs offer different rates and schedules, with a few even having a hybrid model or flexible hours. With most programs, you can expect to work 30 hours a week for four to six weeks of the summer.

Positions are also available for residents aged 18-24. These Success Leaders operate as advisors and intermediaries between site staff and teen employees, with some additional nuance depending on the specific job site.

OYEO will host a career fair at the Roxbury Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center on March 29 from 11 to 3. Over a hundred employers have signed up to attend and offer more information, with some even offering jobs on the spot.

“It’s a key investment that the city pours into every year, every summer, and youth should definitely take advantage of it so that they can explore different career opportunities for themselves.”

The jobs portal can be accessed here.