August 20, 2026
35 corporate partners will host high school interns following summer training
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, Minn., —Genesys Works Twin Cities, a nonprofit that creates pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities, today announced that ~147 rising high school seniors will soon begin year-long paid internships with some of the region’s leading employers, including Ecolab, Land O’Lakes and 3M. Nationwide, fewer than 5 percent of high school students have access to internships or apprenticeships, making opportunities like these critical for building a stronger workforce.
“Our interns bring curiosity, energy, and a real commitment to learning,” said Jeff Tollefson, Interim Executive Director of Genesys Works Twin Cities. “It’s inspiring to see them grow into confident young professionals ready to make meaningful contributions in the workplace.”
Internships will be revealed at Draft Day 2026, Genesys Works’ high-energy celebration taking place on August 20 at 8:30 am at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. Modeled after the excitement of the NFL Draft, the event brings together hundreds of community members, including corporate leaders, families, educators, and elected officials, as students take the stage to find out where they’ll spend their senior year as interns.
“Our team looks forward to Draft Day every year,” said Teddy Bekele, Chief Technology Officer, Land O’Lakes. “It’s rewarding to be a part of a program that not only strengthens our talent pipeline but also gives young people a meaningful start in their careers.”
The corporate paid internships are the capstone of Genesys Works’ innovative 8-week professional and technical skills training and work experience program that helps bridge the opportunity gap for motivated students and assist in expanding pathways for students to enter the workforce. They will step into real-world roles in IT, business operations, finance, marketing, and more, bringing fresh perspectives and a drive to learn into the Twin Cities workforce.
Through their internships, students can earn up to $16,500 during their senior year, income that can be put toward college expenses, family needs, or other important goals, while building skills and networks that will serve them for years to come.
“Genesys Works helped me see more opportunities for myself,” reflected Ayuub Hassan, Class of 2026 Young Professional currently interning at Thrivent Financial. “It connected me with professionals, mentors, and experiences that pushed me to think bigger about my future.”
Since its founding in 2008, Genesys Works Twin Cities has placed more than 4,000 interns and built a consistent track record of life-changing outcomes:
- 93% of program graduates enroll in college
- Alumni earn an average income of $67,000 7+ years post-program
- 84% are first-generation college students
- 99% are students of color
- 100% of the Genesys Works Twin Cities participants say they would recommend the program
To explore partnership opportunities or learn how to support Genesys Works, please contact James Nagbe, Director of Corporate Partnerships at jnagbe@genesysworks.org to start the conversation.
