Teens Are Having a Hard Time Getting Summer Jobs

The Atlantic ^ | JUL 9 2014 | Joe Pinsker

[nickcarraway]

And, since working in the summer can predict future job prospects, that matters.

In light of a report from Bloomberg yesterday that drew attention to the remarkably generous wages picked up by the tech industry’s young summer interns—their monthly salaries can exceed the 2012 average for U.S. households by nearly $2,000—it’d be easy to make the mistake of thinking that the youth these days have it easy.

But today, Erin McCarthy of the Wall Street Journal posted about a discouraging report put out by Challenger, Gray & Christmas on teens’ summer employment: Hires of 16- to 19-year-olds in May and June dropped 12 percent in comparison to last year. The teen unemployment rate has been in decline in the past year, but this, according to the report, has mainly to do with teens who have dropped out of the job search in favor of less aggravating pursuits, like volunteer work, sports, and, presumably, hanging out.

This may not seem problematic, but recent research indicates that the summer unemployed might be losing ground to their working peers. A study out of the University of British Columbia published in the most recent issue of Research in the Sociology of Work found that teens who work evenings or summers are more likely to find better jobs and earn more money down the line.

The reason summer jobs can predict future success is that they allow teens to get acquainted with the working world and to expand their networks. Interestingly, it barely matters what the job consists of. Says UBC professor Marc-David Seidel, a co-author of the study, “Even flipping burgers has value—particularly if it leads to part-time work later during school."

[fireforeffect]

It is down to this, the most important thing a child can learn in school is spanish. That way the employer has to figure out where you are from. Either that or you start out in management.

[Tired of Taxes]

I can’t remember the exact questions. I can’t remember if gun ownership was one of them, but it might’ve been. I should revisit those applications and post some of the questions here, if I find the chance.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Time to lower the age for Welfare and Food Stamps to 13. Get them used to living off the public teat early!!

[Tired of Taxes]

I think having a job is important for a teen to learn to manage money, etc. There are help wanted signs where we live, too. But, I guess there are more people applying for the jobs than there are jobs. Plus, most companies are looking for permanent employees - not seasonal.

That’s OK, though. It’s all worked out in the end - my son studied hard and received a nice merit scholarship that is more than he would’ve ever earned at a summer job, anyway. He’s headed off to college and hoping to get a paying job there.

[stanne]

Yard work?

I cant get one kid in this neighborhood to rake my leaves

Not for anything

[PeterPrinciple]

Maybe the kids could create themselves a job.

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The sad fact is you and I can’t afford the risk of hiring anyone like that. There are too many labor laws and liability issues.............................

[DonaldC]

That is truly sad.

[eyeamok]

All they have to do is LIE and tell them they are an ADULT ILLEGAL ALIEN like everyone else here, hired on the spot

[The KG9 Kid]

“I’d like to help you son but you’re too young to vote”.

[3Fingas]

Not in San Antonio, Texas. Plenty of help wanted.

In California, people are fighting over Starbuck’s jobs.