(Flint, Mich., 4/9/2026) — A summer job is an important experience in any teen’s life. It’s a chance to earn money for the upcoming school year and gain real-world experience they can carry with them to college or their first career.
But finding a summer job has become increasingly difficult. In 2025, labor participation was down for 16- to 24-year-olds, likely due to the U.S. labor market, economic uncertainty, and automation, according to SHRM. Luckily, in Genesee County, students have more opportunities to be employed this summer thanks to the Summer Youth Initiative, a program of Flint & Genesee Education & Talent — a division of the Flint & Genesee Group.
“We have 24 employers on board looking to hire over 200 TeenQuest graduates for six weeks this summer,” says Brianna Mosier, executive director of Education & Talent. “This opportunity to give students real-life experience is invaluable, and helping employ our area youth creates a lasting economic impact in the region.”
Local employers in Genesee County will be at the invitation-only SYI Job Fair in May. The fair is open to TeenQuest graduates between the ages of 14 and 19 in grades 9-12. Teens who graduated from TeenQuest should have received an email inviting them to apply.
Participating employers in 2026 include:
- Asbury Community Development Corporation
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flint and Genesee County
- Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint
- Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee Counties
- The Chosen Few Arts Council
- Covenant Hills Camp & Retreat
- Davison Township Parks & Recreation
- Developing Respectful Educated Aspiring Minds with Sports (DREAMS Inc)
- Financial Plus Credit Union
- Flint Children’s Museum
- Flint Freedom Schools Collaborative
- Flint Institute of Music
- Food Bank of Eastern Michigan
- Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (GCCARD)
- Genesee County Parks & Recreation Commission
- The Genesee County Prevention Coalition (GCPC)
- Gloria Coles Flint Public Library
- Hand of Home – FLM
- Latinx Technology & Community Center
- Motherly Intercession
- Mott Community College
- Next Level Experience (New Standard Academy)
- Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village (SBEV)
- Urban Renaissance Center
Students in Genesee County who have taken the TeenQuest program are encouraged to register for the job fair to secure a job this summer. If students have not received an email, they can update their contact information at educateflintandgenesee.org/summer-youth-initiative/register.
About Flint & Genesee Education & Talent
Flint & Genesee Education & Talent, a division of the Flint & Genesee Group, provides high-quality programs for talent attraction, retention, and development, including business trainings, Make Your Move, Flinterns, Leadership Flint & Genesee, career prep, TeenQuest, and Summer Youth Initiative; and is funded in part by Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. For more information, visit EducateFlintandGenesee.org, and check them out on Facebook and LinkedIn.
