Are the days of teenage summer jobs on the way to extinction? According to the NYPost, it’s not looking good for teens – or parents for that matter.
The national unemployment rate is now at 8.2 percent, but it’s a different story for teens. The national unemployment rate for 16- to 19-year-olds has reached 23.7 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
But it has reached staggering heights for NYC kids. Teen unemployment is 35.6 percent in NYC, according to the Employment Policies Institute, a nonprofit research group.
Jobs in the restaurant industry that used to be an easy in for teens, like hosting and serving, aren’t so easy to come by these days. They are facing competition from older, more experienced workers, including recent college graduates.
“A lot of the places where I tried to apply wouldn’t even let me,” said one 17-year-old. “They said to come back when I turn 18.
Teens and their parents are not happy, and it’s not just about earning a little extra pocket money; teens are missing out on that first job experience, and losing valuable skills to help them land better jobs down the line.
For some families, it’s even causing problems at home.
“They’re in your face all day. Without the routine of work, we’re butting heads more than in the past,” says one mom whose teenage daughter is out of work. “She’s frustrated, I’m frustrated, and there’s a lot of tension.”
Volunteer work is always an option! It may not pay, but volunteering can help teens gain valuable skills and experience that can help them when it comes to future employment and college applications. Plus, it’ll get them out of the house!