Opportunities for Students (January 2025)

Published January 3, 2025

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Students: kick off the new year with new learning and earning opportunities!

Throughout January, organizations and institutions like NYC Parks, the New York Hall of Science, and Microsoft are seeking City students for a range of outstanding programs and events, including paid internships, generous college scholarships/grants, competitions, and summer jobs that provide unforgettable work experiences, new skills, and the chance to earn cash.

Get a jumpstart on your New Year's resolutions by checking out the following list of opportunities available to City students throughout the month and beyond!

Consider becoming an NYC lifeguard and help keep fellow New Yorkers safe on City beaches all summer long! Learn more about them by checking out NYC Parks' official Lifeguard page.

Opportunities for Students in January 2025

The opportunities listed below are ordered by their submission/registration deadline dates, with the most urgent deadlines listed first. For more information about any of these listings, please click through the corresponding links embedded in each entry.

Discover New York City's Great Outdoors through the Urban Park Rangers

For students of all ages
Events run through January 2025
Cost: Free

Registration Deadlines Vary

Since 1979, NYC Parks' Urban Park Rangers have helped New Yorkers and visitors of all ages discover and explore the City's natural world through environmental education, outdoor recreation, wildlife management, and active conservation.

Check out the Urban Park Rangers' Events webpage to learn about events happening at City parks near you—sign up directly for your desired events through NYC Parks' webpage.

Become a Tech Scholar During Midwinter Recess

For students in grades 9–12
Runs during Midwinter Recess (February 17–21, 2025, 10 AM–3 PM)
Contact: Rachel Ebersole

Application Deadline: January 12, 2025

The New York Historical (formerly known as the New-York Historical Society) is now accepting applications for its Tech Scholars: Web Design Program. In this program, students will explore how women across the spectrum of race, class, and sexuality exercised power and effected change. You can learn to be a digital changemaker and learn how to use HTML and CSS to design, code, and build your own websites to share powerful stories about women in history.

Learn more about the program through New York Historical's Tech Scholars page, and apply by January 12, 2025.

Enhance Your Financial Skills with the Yale Women in Economics Scholarship Program

For high school juniors who identify as girls
Program Runs March 2025–May 2026
Free for households of $125,000 or less
Contact: Scott Medeiros

Application Deadline: January 20, 2025

Thanks to a partnership between Seeds of Fortune, Inc. and Yale Women in Economics, high school juniors who identify as girls can apply for consideration for the Yale Women in Economics Scholarship Program. The program offers an exceptional opportunity for 40 high school juniors aspiring to enhance their financial literacy skills and achieve excellence in both academic and professional spheres. Thanks to the program, previous Yale Women scholars have secured over $65 million in scholarships and grants for higher education.

Learn more about this program and apply through Seeds of Fortune's program webpage.

Achieve Your Dreams and Boost Your Mental Health through the L.O.V.E. Mentoring Program

For high school girls
Program runs September 2024–June 2025
Contact: Claudia Espinosa

Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Through the Latinas on the Verge of Excellence (L.O.V.E.) Mentoring Program, participating young women are empowered to identify their innate strengths and fulfill their personal and professional goals through mentorship and health education that is focused on mental, reproductive, and physical health, as well as college and career readiness. The program itself is delivered in partner schools as a class for students who identify as female, and it features specific instruction that covers social and emotional content and meets health education standards. From September to June, mentors and mentees participate in weekly, hour-long sessions guided by a curriculum consisting of four core components: mental health, reproductive health, college access, and career readiness.

Learn more about the L.O.V.E. Mentoring Program on the program's website.

Win Money for College through the Mas Family Scholarship Fund

For students of Cuban descent in grades 9–12
Winners announced in April 2025
Contact: Elizabeth Morin

Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Since 1996, the Mas Family has offered talented Cuban and Cuban-American high school students with college scholarships. Eligible students must have a 3.5 GPA or higher, be Cuban or of direct Cuban descent, demonstrate leadership and community involvement, and have financial need.

Visit the Mas Family Scholarship webpage to learn more about the scholarship and to apply.

Explore Creative Careers New York City Center During Midwinter Recess

For high school students (14–18 years old)
Program runs February 18–20, 2025
Cost: Free
Contact: Sarah Kutnowsky

Application Deadline: February 3, 2025

Students can spend their upcoming Midwinter Recess (February 17–21, 2025) exploring arts careers at New York City Center. Through the program, students will focus on the rehearsal process while embodying the roles of director, music director, and choreographer to learn how their collaborations bring a production to life. The program is free, and includes lunch for all participating students.

Learn more about the program and apply directly on New York City Center's website.

Share Your Best Climate Action Ideas through the Battelle Climate Challenge

For students in grades 9–12
Grand prize winner travels to Washington D.C. in April 2025
Contact: Angela Balya

Entry Deadline: February 7, 2025

Win money for your school through the Battelle Climate Challenge!

Open to City high school students (grades 9–12), the Challenge asks participating students to research past and future impacts of climate-related hazards that are affecting their communities (ex. droughts, wildfires, and flooding), and then propose actions that can help build more resilient communities.

Students can win up to a $5,000 grant for a public school, public library, or nonprofit organization of their choice; the student who wins the $5,000 Grand Prize will present their solutions in-person at the 2025 Innovations in Climate Resilience Conference in Washington D.C.

Learn more about the Battelle Climate Challenge and sign up by visiting Future Engineers' program webpage.

Represent Your Borough in Minecraft

For K–12 students; sign up in teams
Events run throughout...
Contact: minecraft@schools.nyc.gov

Submission Deadline: March 7, 2025

NYC Public Schools, in partnership with Minecraft Education and C40's Reinventing Cities initiative, is hosting the Battle of the Boroughs (BOTB) Minecraft Build Challenge, an esports competition for students in grades K–12. Students register and work in teams to create inclusive, future-ready city spaces within Minecraft. These teams then compete in borough-specific, in-person competition rounds to determine champions for each borough for each grade division (elementary, middle, and high school bands). Borough champions then face one another in the Mayor's Cup final later this year.

Learn more about the BOTB Minecraft Build Challenge by visiting our official "Minecraft Education Challenge" webpage.

Become an NYC Parks Lifeguard

For swimmers aged 16 or older
Candidates must pass qualifying test before Lifeguard Training begins

Must Pass Qualifying Test by March 16, 2025

Are you ready to rise to the challenge and help keep New Yorkers safe by keeping a close watch on our pools and beaches next summer?

Consider becoming an NYC Parks Lifeguard!

Qualified candidates are placed into NYC Parks' Lifeguard Training program, where you'll strengthen your swimming technique and endurance, learn crucial lifesaving techniques, and receive certification to become an NYC Parks Lifeguard. Candidates who successfully complete the training program will then be offered full-time positions at City beaches and pools this summer.

To learn more, visit NYC Parks' "Become an NYC Parks Lifeguard" webpage, and brush up on your swimming skills at one of their Swim Prep sessions before signing up for a qualifying test.

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For more opportunities like these, be sure to check out The Morning Bell every month during the school year—and don't forget to share these posts with friends and family!

On behalf of NYC Public Schools, we wish all of our students a productive, enlightening, and rewarding 2025!

Banner and teaser photos by Max Fischer. Original can be found on Pexels.

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