Summer Jobs Hard To Find For U.S. Teens

Teenagers have hard time to find summer and seasonal jobs in this economy downturn. Once wide and open market for seasonal jobs, shrunk under fears of rising unemployment. Corporations quit hiring teenagers and students eliminating part-time and temporary jobs. Much rising unemployment counts among teenagers about 24%, highest since World War II.

The hardship of finding employment reflects on what jobs teenagers are looking. Mostly computer savvy teenagers are looking for tech jobs, at least to get into some labs and tech related field. The labor market looks gloomy even for some tech professionals so, teenagers and students are not even in the scope.

Teenagers summer jobs that were hiring year after year, got eliminated or transferred to fewer positions and it is considered a luck to have traditional job. It is normal corporate response to rescission and tough economy. And more companies still downsizing such as auto industry and traditional manufacturing.

Traditionally, teenagers and students found summer jobs to prepare them for their studies or gain some financial independence. None of this seems to work for them in this economy. There are few advises for teenagers and their parents.

Instead of looking for the job, look for internship, volunteer opportunities offered in hospitals and different institutions. Teenagers summer job can be substituted by enormous experience in the desired field. Look for non traditional jobs, such as cleaning, car washing, mission jobs, farm jobs that can turn ones world view upside down. At least few of us began our employment cleaning and doing farm jobs.

Remember, that economy goes on, and next year this recession could be either best memories to remember or teenager summer job hunting nightmare. Also, if you find a job try to keep it for the next year and assure your employer that you are the best employee.

Vladimir Dubchak
Financial Analyst