This summer, Wayne State University hosted more than a dozen youth interns through Grow Detroit's Young Talent (GDYT), a citywide jobs program that trains and employs young Detroiters, ages 14 to 24, for six weeks beginning each July. This was the third year Wayne State participated in this program.

Wayne State interns, sponsored and coordinated by the President's Office and Transition to Independence Program (TIP), worked in departments and offices across campus. 2017 hosts included the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, College of Education, College of Engineering, School of Medicine, School of Social Work, Marketing and Communications (Special Events and Services), Computing and Information Technology, TechTown and WDET 101.9-FM.

Kai Roland and Sharaya Solomon; GDYT youth hosted by WDET 101.9-FM.

One of the youth sponsored by the President's Office, Ashely Oliver, worked in the School of Medicine's Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Oliver is currently enrolled in community college, but hopes to transfer to Wayne State to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Working in the School of Medicine helped her gain a better understanding of her future field. Oliver said she loved the experience. "I was able to meet with someone in the College of Nursing and learn about what my classes are going to be like when I transfer from my community college" she said.

Established in 2015 by Mayor Mike Duggan and supported by partners including the W.K. Kellogg, Skillman, DTE Energy and Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundations, GDYT has helped employ more than 20,000 youth. To learn more about the program, including how to participate as a youth or employer, visit http://gdyt.org/.