For many Anne Arundel County families, summer jobs for teens are about much more than extra spending money. They can be a first step toward confidence, responsibility, and real-world work experience. But this year, those first jobs may be harder to find. Fox Baltimore reports that teen summer hiring is running below historical norms, with fewer entry-level roles and more competition from adults and experienced workers.
That matters locally because early work experience shapes more than one summer. It is often where teens learn how to show up on time, communicate, ask questions, and start to picture themselves in a future career. When those opportunities shrink, the impact can reach beyond one season. Anne Arundel County’s own internship and workforce programs suggest our community understands how important that first step really is.
The good news is that Anne Arundel does have real pathways in place. The City of Annapolis Summer Intern Program offers a five-week paid development program for ages 14 to 16 and a seven-week paid work program for ages 17 to 24, along with résumé building, training, networking, and other career-readiness support.

There is also AAWDC’s FutureSuccess program, a paid summer internship program for young adults ages 16 to 24 that matches participants with local employers based on career interests and fit. AAWDC says the 2026 application cycle is already closed, which says something important on its own: these opportunities are valuable, competitive, and worth tracking early.
And this story fits a broader local labor-market picture. Maryland Labor’s weekly claims report shows Anne Arundel regular unemployment claims rose from 123 for the week ending May 30 to 148 for the week ending June 6. That is not a major alarm bell by itself, but it does reinforce that this is not an especially easy moment for households or job seekers.
For our community, the takeaway is practical. If summer jobs in Anne Arundel County are getting harder to land, then internships, youth workforce programs, and earlier access to information matter even more. Families may need to start sooner, ask more questions, and lean on local partners to help teens and young adults get that first real opportunity. Anne Arundel County’s County Executive’s Internship Program is another reminder that our community is trying to build those pathways.
For new local openings, check out Annapolis Moms Media Job Connect!
Citations
Fox Baltimore. (2026, June 12). Fact Check Team: Where are the summer jobs? Teens face challenges in tough job market.
City of Annapolis. (n.d.). Summer Intern Program.
Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation. (n.d.). Young Adults / FutureSuccess.
Maryland Department of Labor. (2026). Initial Unemployment Insurance Claims by County.
Anne Arundel County Government. (n.d.). County Executive’s Internship Program.




Save The Date List