MBSYEP at YEI
Summer work that builds futures.
Through the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program, YEI helps youth gain paid, hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, STE(A)M, creative production, business, vending, leadership, and work readiness.
Program Overview
YEI turns summer jobs into business, creative, and career-building experiences.
YEI serves as a youth employment host site where participants do more than complete hours. Youth learn how to create products, build brands, practice customer service, pitch ideas, explore careers, and gain real-world skills through hands-on work experiences.
Participants may work across entrepreneurship, STE(A)M, apparel, beauty, product design, social enterprise, vending, media, creative economy, and youth marketplace projects.
Final eligibility, placement, documentation, payroll, and official MBSYEP requirements are managed through DOES / MBSYEP. YEI provides the program experience, site supervision, work-based learning activities, and youth development support for participants assigned to YEI.
Quick Info
What youth and families should know.
Participants receive pay through the MBSYEP system when they meet eligibility, attendance, and program requirements.
Youth create products, practice workplace skills, complete projects, and build real experience.
Students explore business ideas, branding, pricing, pitching, customer service, and vending.
Youth may explore apparel, beauty, candles, laser cutting, design, media, product-making, and creative production.
Why Choose YEI
More than a summer job.
YEI’s MBSYEP experience is designed for youth who want to create, build, earn, lead, and try something new. Participants gain exposure to entrepreneurship, product development, teamwork, leadership, and real-world career pathways.
Youth do not just sit in workshops. They make products, work in teams, build business ideas, prepare for markets, practice customer service, and reflect on their growth.
“Summer work should help young people discover what they can build.”
Program Pathways
Youth can explore multiple ways to work, create, and earn.
Entrepreneurship
Youth learn business basics, customer discovery, pricing, branding, pitching, vending, and launching ideas.
Making & Prototyping
Participants explore hands-on production, design thinking, cosmetics chemistry, laser cutting, 3D printing, and product development.
Art, Apparel & Design
Youth learn the art of business and the business of art through apparel, graphic design, branding, media, and creative products.
Social Enterprise
Students gain real experience supporting youth-led brands, custom orders, vending, product sales, and marketplace learning.
What Participants Do
Build skills through real work.
Learn
Youth participate in entrepreneurship, STE(A)M, creative economy, workplace readiness, and financial literacy activities.
Create
Participants make products, design brands, create marketing materials, build prototypes, and complete team projects.
Practice
Students practice communication, time management, teamwork, problem-solving, customer service, and professionalism.
Showcase
Youth may pitch, vend, present, display products, support events, or participate in youth marketplace experiences.
How to Join
Participants must complete the MBSYEP process and be assigned to YEI.
Youth interested in participating at YEI through MBSYEP must complete the official MBSYEP application and any required DOES documentation. YEI can only host participants who are officially eligible, assigned, and approved through the MBSYEP process.
After assignment, YEI may also require site onboarding, program forms, family communication, orientation, and participation expectations before youth begin activities.
Apply through MBSYEP
Complete the official MBSYEP application and required youth employment steps.
Complete DOES Requirements
Submit required documents, eligibility items, and any official forms through the appropriate system.
Select or Receive Placement
Youth must be assigned to YEI or an approved YEI job/program slot before starting.
Attend YEI Orientation
Participants receive site expectations, schedules, program information, and next steps.
Sites & Program Models
YEI offers creative summer work experiences across school, studio, and community settings.
Bard High School Early College DC
A core YEI high school site supporting entrepreneurship, STE(A)M, creative economy, work readiness, and youth business development.
YEI Studio
A creative production and social enterprise space where youth can make products, use tools, support orders, and build business skills.
Markets, Events & Partner Sites
Youth may gain experience through pop-ups, showcases, KidBizCON, youth vending, partner workshops, and community events.
Show up. Participate. Create. Practice. Represent yourself and the program well.
Participant Expectations
Stipend eligibility requires participation and professionalism.
Participants are expected to attend scheduled program days, arrive on time, follow staff instructions, participate in assigned activities, complete program work, and represent themselves and YEI respectfully.
Youth may be required to participate in workshops, product-making, vending preparation, pitch activities, assigned work tasks, reflection activities, showcases, and community events connected to the program.
Youth in Action
Show the work, the products, the pitch, and the pop-up.
Watch youth create products, practice business skills, pitch ideas, vend at markets, participate in KidBizCON, and gain real summer work experience through YEI.
What Youth Gain
Paid summer work becomes a pathway to skills, confidence, and opportunity.
YEI’s MBSYEP experience helps youth connect summer employment to long-term growth. Participants gain work habits, business knowledge, creative skills, confidence, and examples of real work they can discuss in future interviews, resumes, and applications.
Work Readiness
Communication, punctuality, teamwork, responsibility, workplace expectations, and professionalism.
Entrepreneurship
Business ideas, customer service, pricing, branding, pitching, vending, and product testing.
Financial Awareness
Cost, revenue, profit, budgeting, income, saving, spending, and money decision-making.
Creative Production
Product-making, design, apparel, beauty, candles, media, laser cutting, prototyping, and social enterprise.
Leadership
Public speaking, peer collaboration, decision-making, project ownership, self-advocacy, and reflection.
Career Exposure
Creative economy, entrepreneurship, STEM, marketing, business, production, vending, and community impact careers.
Common Questions
Helpful information for youth and families.
Does YEI choose who gets paid?
No. MBSYEP eligibility, official placement, pay, and documentation are managed through DOES / MBSYEP. YEI hosts assigned participants and provides the site-based program experience.
Can I attend if I am not assigned to YEI?
Youth must be officially assigned to YEI through the correct MBSYEP process or approved by YEI staff before participating in the MBSYEP program experience.
What should participants expect?
Expect hands-on activities, teamwork, business projects, product-making, workplace expectations, reflection, and opportunities to pitch, sell, or showcase work.
Who do I contact?
For YEI site questions, contact YEI. For official MBSYEP eligibility, documents, pay, and placement questions, families should also follow DOES / MBSYEP instructions.
Ready for Summer?
Build skills, business ideas, products, confidence, and work experience.
Interested in YEI’s MBSYEP opportunities? Contact us for site questions, program information, and next steps after completing the official MBSYEP process.