Teens Have Trouble Finding Summer Work

Tools

By Jessica Gertler

Story Created: May 30, 2012 at 4:42 PM CDT

Story Updated: May 30, 2012 at 4:42 PM CDT

 From the CBS 8 Troy Newsroom-- Summer Break has begun, and many high school and college students are looking for seasonal work. But has it become harder for teens to land a summer job?

 

CBS 8 News went on a job hunt in Troy seeing if  anyone is hiring high school or college students for the summer, and many business owners say summer jobs are becoming a thing of the past. 

"The past three summers I've been looking," says Troy Parks and Recreation summer employee Taylor McMann. "I've been life-guarding for two summers now. It was pretty hard to find a job."

McMann says this summer was a challenge landing work. That's why he got his life-guarding certification, because he figures there are always jobs available around a pool.

But he says his friends weren't so lucky. 

"I guess until the economy gets better, but it's probably definitely going to get harder and harder. I don't see it getting any easier," he says.

Burke's Outlet Manager Melissa Weeks says she's had dozens of teens apply for summer work, but doesn't have any openings. 

"Companies don't give you that kind of money to just hire extra hours. You've got to work with people you've got even if you're making more money during the seasonal time," she says.

Mama Goldberg's owner Jake Messenger says he's hired two teens for the summer out of the 50 who've applied. 

"I think students are trying to get a head start on the fall. They're trying to go ahead and move here and get a summer job," he says.

Adam Drinkwater with the Pike County Chamber of Commerce says he's noticed many young adults without summer work, but he blames the county's low unemployment rate.

"I think that also means sometimes summer jobs can be hard to find. There aren't a lot of jobs available," Drinkwater says.

McMann is grateful he's able to make some cash the next three months, because he says it's only getting harder for teens to land work.

"I don't really know what the next summer is going to hold. I've just got to take one summer at a time," he says.

There are some places like Troy Parks and Recreation Department that took on summer hires. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Alabama ranks in the top fifteen states to have the most employed teens.

 

The Chamber of Commerce suggest teens who were unable to find work to consider volunteering this summer. Officials say it's a great way to build you're resume for the following summer.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's onFull Schedule

Featured Content

Hot Video From AP

AP Video