SMUD Internship Program

Empower your future with a Summer High School Internship

High school interns have a unique opportunity to get an inside look into professions that could inspire career choices over a 6-week paid summer internship program. Students can explore fields including information technology, engineering, customer service, administrative support, vehicle mechanics, accounting, human resources, marketing and many others.

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Application Deadline

Open Date and Time

Monday, March 23, 2026  *8:00 a.m.

Closing Date and Time

Friday, May 01, 2026  *5:00 p.m.

Make sure to prepare your application materials in advance and submit them during this time frame. Good luck!

Program Overview

  • Target Age- Primarily focused for individuals ages 16 years of age or older (current  Junior or Senior in the high school identified).
  • Hands-On Learning- For the public utility industry on experiential education and direct on the job experience.
  • Comprehensive Training & Mentorship – Provides essential skills and guidance.
  • Skill Development – Focuses on customer service, teamwork, and leadership.
  • Career Versatility – Acts as a stepping stone for real-world experience.

  • Gain real work experience and new skills to add to your resume
  • Learn about the public utility industry
  • Attend professional workshops
  • Network with other students and industry professionals
  • Tour SMUD facilities
  • Learn valuable leadership skills
  • Hourly Wages at $16.90

Minimum Requirements:

  • Must be 16 years of age or older (currently a Junior or Senior in high school)
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or better
  • Provide your own transportation
  • Attend mandatory (unpaid) program orientation
  • Attend mandatory (unpaid) work readiness workshops and video interviews
  • Attend mandatory (paid) 3 day internship preparation workshops
  • Be able to work 36 hours a week
  • Have no relatives working at SMUD
  • Be comfortable using email and the Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Must attend an eligible School District  in our SMUD service area. Eligibility rotates each year between the eight high school districts in our service area

Step 1: Application Review

  • All applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 01, 2026.
  • Applications will be reviewed to ensure they meet the minimum  qualifications.

Step 2: Document Verification & Initial Selection

  • Students who submit the necessary supporting documents and meet the minimum qualifications will move forward in the selection process.
  • These students will be notified and invited to attend a mandatory program orientation.

Step 3: Computerized Random Drawing

  • Students who attend the mandatory orientation will be entered into a  computerized random drawing.
  • A total of 55 applicants will be selected.

Step 4: Unpaid Workshop & Video Interviews

  • The 55 selected applicants will receive an invitation via email.
  • Participate in an unpaid mandatory work readiness workshop.
  • Complete a 3 question video interview.

Step 5: Resume & Video Interview Evaluation

Candidates who complete the work readiness workshop will be evaluated based on:

  • Resume quality and transcript review.
  • Performance in the video interview.
  • Successful candidates will advance to a virtual interview with SMUD  Department Managers.

Step 6: Paid Final Selection

  • Students will be selected based on the evaluation process for in-person interviews.
  • These students will attend a 3-day paid work readiness training workshop.

Step 7: Internship Commencement

  • Upon completing the 3-day paid workshop, the internship program will officially begin.
  • Start date: June 22, 2026.

For more information about high school internships, email Sacramento Employment & Training Agency

Benjamin Murti, Workforce Development Planner
Sacramento Employment & Training Agency
SacramentoWorksFor.Youth@seta.net

School Districts Participating in 2026

School Districts Even Year: 2026

  • Sacramento City Unified School District
  • San Juan Unified School District
  • Sacramento County Office of Education
  • Galt Unified School District
  • Center Joint Union Unified School District
  • Roseville Joint Union School District
    Antelope High School (Only)

School Districts Odd Year: 2027

  • Elk Grove Unified School District
  • Folsom Cordova Unified School District
  • Natomas Unified School District
  • Twin Rivers Unified School District

Check District Schools Eligible for Participation in 2026

  • American Legion High School
  • Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions High School
  • California Montessori Project
  • Capital City School
  • CK McClatchy High School
  • George Washington Carver High School
  • Hiram Johnson High School
  • John F. Kennedy High School
  • Kit Carson High School
  • Luther Burbank High School
  • Oak Park Preparatory Academy
  • Rosemont High School
  • SAVA – Sacramento Academic and Vocational Academy
  • Sacramento Accelerated Academy
  • Sacramento New Technology
  • School of Engineering and Sciences
  • Sacramento Charter High
  • The Met Sacramento
  • West Campus

  • Aspire Alexander Twilight Secondary Academy
  • Atkinson Academy Charter
  • Bella Vista
  • Casa Roble
  • Del Campo
  • El Camino
  • El Sereno
  • Encina Preparatory High
  • La Entrada
  • La Vista Center
  • Meraki
  • Mira Loma
  • Options for Youth-San Juan
  • Paramount Collegiate Academy
  • Rio Americano
  • San Juan High
  • San Juan Choices Charter
  • Visions In Education

  • El Centro Jr./Sr. High
  • Elinor Lincoln Hickey Sr. High
  • Gerber Sr. High
  • Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High
  • Natomas Promise
  • Nathaniel S. Colley Sr. High School
  • North Area Community School
  • Rex & Margaret Fortune Early College High School
  • Sacramento County SH Special Education

  • Estrellita High School
  • Galt High School
  • Liberty Ranch High School

  • Center High School
  • McClellan High School

  • Antelope High School (Only)

Note: Starting 2026 this program pays interns an hourly wage of $16.90 per hour.

? Eligibility Requirements

✔️ Must have no relatives employed at SMUD
✔️ Must be 16 years of age or older by June 2, 2026
✔️ Must be a current junior or senior eligible to participate from Unified School District and high school identified for 2026
✔️ Have a 2.5 or higher GPA

? Mandatory Program Schedule

? Monday, March 23, 2026 – Application Activation
? Friday, May 01, 2026 – Application Deactivation
? Review Includes:
? School attendance verification
? Grade & age
⭐ GPA/ Transcript/ Resume

? Step 2: Mandatory Orientation Program Overview/ Eligibility (RSVP Invitation Only)
? Thursdays & Saturdays: April 04, 11, 18, 25 & May 02, 2026 — 8:00 am to 9:00 am
? SMUD Internship

? Step 3: Computerized Random Drawing
? Up to 60 students selected from the eligibility pool
? May 04–11, 2026
✉️ Selection notifications for 55–60 participants: May 04–13, 2026

? Step 4: Workshops & Video Interviews (RSVP Invitation Only)
? Friday, May 15, 2026 – Virtual Mandatory WRT (for 55–60 students) (Mandatory)
? Saturday, May 16, 2026 – In‑person Video Interview (Mandatory)

? Step 5: Managers Evaluation on Transcript, Resume & Video Interview
? Review of resumes & video interviews
? Selection of candidates for Virtual Interviews with SMUD Department Managers
✉️ May 18, 2026 thru May 22, 2026 (Selection Letters go out for In-person Interviews)

? Step 6: Final Selection- In-person Interview (Mandatory)
?️ Thursday, June 04, 2026 – Virtual Interviews (TBD) (Mandatory) 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
✉️ Department managers final interns selections for Onboarding Training

? Step 7: Internship Commencement
✉️ Final selection of up to 25 students start Onboarding, Orientation & Paid Training
? Onboarding Training Week
➕ Monday, June 15 – Work Readiness (Mandatory) 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
➕ Tuesday, June 16 – Work Readiness (SMUD Guest Speaker) (Mandatory) 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
➕ Thursday, June 17 – Work Readiness (Mandatory) 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
? June 19 – Juneteenth Holiday
?6 Week SMUD Internship Starts Monday, June 22, 2026 – Ends Friday, July 31, 2026 (Mandatory Participation)

Apply for the SMUD Internship Program

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