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Teen Unemployment: Finding Jobs in a Tough Economy

by Margery Villetas on June 20, 2012

Of all the ways to spend one’s summer, working is the most productive, most rewarding, and most beneficial method. Of the many skills that a teenager can learn from summer employment, one of the most important is a strong work ethic. This work ethic, when developed early in one’s career, can lead to a life of success in the business world. With these benefits in mind, many teenagers spend their summers working a variety of positions. However, in the last few years, finding a job has become a difficult proposition for young Americans.

As the economy soared during the mid-2000s, teen employment reached some of its highest levels in recorded history. In 2007, over 6 million teens were employed in some form of work. As the economy stalled, teen employment followed in the wake of traditional employment. Less than 3 years later, teen employment had dropped to 4.5 million. This loss reduced the 2007 numbers by one-fourth. Due to an inability to secure employment, many teens fell out of the workforce, but for those who did remain, unemployment also increased.
According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, teen unemployment increased by approximately 100,000 persons from 2007 to 2010. This figure does not mean that only 100,000 people lost work between 2007 and 2010. Millions more were transferred from the teen unemployment rolls to the adult unemployment rolls. Others stopped looking for work and were dropped out of the labor force.
Teens often feel the bite of economic collapses even more than their adult counterparts. Often employers will fill their positions with skilled adults rather than teens to increase the productivity and skill of their employees. In the drive to replace younger workers with seasoned employees, many teens are left unemployed. All hope is not lost, though. Many young workers can find labor online in a variety of fields from graphic design to writing. In addition, young entrepreneurs can create their own employment through hard work and innovation.
In this economic downturn, many teens are unable to find work, while those who can find employment are saddled with low-skill, low-wage jobs. For those looking for better positions, they must present themselves as capable, skilled, enthusiastic job candidates. Regardless of the economy, teens should be confident that by improving their skills and work ethic, they too can find work in many forms. In the end, some of these summer opportunities may turn into sources of permanent employment.

Sources
US Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://data.bls.gov/pdq/querytool.jsp?survey=ln
Query 1: Both Sexes, All Races, All Origins, 16 to 19 years, All Education Levels, All Marital Statuses, Employed, Seasonally Adjusted, Not Seasonally Adjusted, Quarterly
Query 2: Both Sexes, All Races, All Origins, 16 to 19 years, All Education Levels, All Marital Statuses, Unemployed, Seasonally Adjusted, Not Seasonally Adjusted, Quarterly