Miami-Dade County's Summer Youth Internship Program, now in its 11th year, is adding a new AI program for 2026. Nearly 4,000 high school students earning paid internships this summer are also receiving artificial intelligence training through a pilot program launched with Goodwill South Florida and Miami Dade College.

Any M-DCPS student in grades 10 through 12 is eligible for the SYIP, including those at Aventura-area schools.

"AI is everywhere, like literally everywhere," said Daniella Pierre, a student at North Gardens High School, in a WSVN report published Saturday, July 19. "This does help a lot with my future careers and to grow more in the work field."

Angelica Gomez, vice president of technology at Goodwill South Florida, said the training prepares students for a job market where every company and institution is leveraging AI skill sets. The program pairs AI instruction from Miami Dade College with students' regular internship placements at more than 1,000 employers countywide. Specific curriculum details have not been released.

Internship program has grown to 4,000 students since 2024

The SYIP has expanded steadily. In summer 2024, 3,187 students from 93 schools interned with 974 employers, backed by $6.25 million from M-DCPS and its partners. By summer 2025, participation rose to 3,661 students across 92 schools with 924 employers, and the investment climbed to $7 million. The stated goal for summer 2026 is 4,000 students, according to an M-DCPS press release dated Wednesday, April 8.

Superintendent Jose L. Dotres called the broader SYIP "an initiative that is really empowering students, their families, and is also generating a pipeline of talent to strengthen our own community here in Miami-Dade County" at the program's kickoff event on Tuesday, April 7.

Five-week paid internships come with high school and college credit

The SYIP is a five-week paid experience. Participating employers receive interns at no cost. All enrolled students earn high school credit and may qualify for college credit through dual enrollment with Miami Dade College.

GetMyInterns, led by CEO Alex Funkhouser, matched students with employer placements this summer, according to WSVN.

Partners funding the 2026 program include The Children's Trust, Miami-Dade County, Career Source South Florida, EdFed, the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, and the M-DCPS Foundation. Employers interested in hosting future interns can register at miamiinterns.org.