Summer Jobs: Does Your Teen Have One?

on June 17, 2009 at 3:07 PM

teens summer jobs There have been lots of reports that it's difficult for teen to find summer jobs this year because they're competing with laid-off adults for positions in movie theaters, retail, and fast food. The lack of jobs for teens seem to be a reality for some CafeMoms; but others say that their teens have been successful in securing employment for the summer. Here's what a few teens are doing...

Some CafeMoms report that their teens were able to find summer jobs. Many of these teens looked for work from friends of friends:

Csjoy1's 18-year-old son is "working part-time as a bus boy, and hating it 'cause he'd rather be off for the summer."

Evanmak0094's 15-year-old son is "mowing a couple of lawns for money and watching his little sister a couple of hours a day to make money."

Aunt_shel's teen is "mowing a friend's mom's yard and babysitting for extra money."

Tracylynnr67 says: "My 18-year-old is working his part-time job (24-30 hours a week) as a cashier/cart boy, and volunteering as an instructor for a summer water program...My 17-year-old is working his part-time job as a cashier/cart boy/produce employee."

But other CafeMoms say their teens have had no luck looking for work:

Dillonsma says: "My son has looked but no one will hire a 15-year-old when adults seem to want the jobs. He is doing some odd jobs for neighbors. But what else are these teens going to do?"

And texassahm emphasizes with the lack of work for teens but has this suggestion: "I am sure there are lots of places where teens can volunteer. It looks good on a resume, and boosts their awareness of others around them."

Does your teen work a summer job? Was it hard for he/she to find it?

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: jobs & money, summer break, teens

Comments (10)

northcalmomof3

on Jun 18, 2009 at 9:50 AM

My 17 year old son has been working the past 2 years at a golf course. He loves golf and he is doing what he loves. He works in the Golf Club shop and he cuts the greens and he goes around and gets the golf balls that are being hit with the trackter and he gets to play a couple of free games per week plus he is making 13:00$ an hour. I am so proud of him!

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smichellem

on Jun 18, 2009 at 10:50 AM

My DD is 12 and where we are moving to has a lot of farming. I didn't know these places still existed (like when I was her age) but she is going to pick raspberries for a few weeks. She said she wasn't interested at first but then we talked about the pros and cons to any jo0b and she has decided (as i figured she would) that it will be worth it for the money and to learn what it's like to work. Knowing her personality I can't wait to see how this opportunity helps her. She and her sister also leave mid July to spend the summer in England with their dad. She's excited to open her own savings account to save some money and plan how much she will take with ehr to spend in London shopping. I can't wait to see this play out.

On more of the topic in the article. I work PT in retail and I don't see an extreme shortage of job ops for teens. If they know how to present themselves and have a decent work ethic there are tons of jobs to be had. I think people these days though are a little snobish about what kind of jobs they take. At least around here I see plenty of employers looking for good employees...and a shortage of good employees.

on Jun 18, 2009 at 10:53 AM

Also contributing to some of the problem with no jobs for teens though is the fact that there are a lot of rules and regulations that make it togher for employers to hire teens. It's contributing to the lazy generation and it is terrible. It's nice to hear that there are actually teens wanting to work. It's too bad the govt has gone to extremes with child labor laws making it tougher to employ them.

Nonmember comment from Kate

on Jun 18, 2009 at 3:06 PM

While it's certainly tough out there for students, I agree with texassahm's idea of encouraging teens to volunteer over the summer. Colleges and future employers will appreciate the job skills acquired, while your teen may get the opportunity to interact with people or in situations that they may not usually be exposed to--always a learning opportunity! Here's a great article from Monster.com about how volunteering can set students on the right path towards a career they want: http://content.office.monster.com/job-search-essentials/entry-level-jobs/volunteer-work/Volunteer-for-Your-Career/home.aspx A great resource to direct your teen to is the tips and advice tab on the Office Live Students Facebook Page. It has advice on resumes, job searches, networking, interviewing, and career planning: http://www.facebook.com/officelivestudent#/officelivestudent?v=app_7146470109&viewas=7300773 Cheers, Kate MSFT Office Live Outreach Team

on Jun 18, 2009 at 3:57 PM

I agree with the volunteering my daughter helps her church with preschoolers and other church activities. She even wants to start helping the SPCA her in our local town. We just got a Beagle puppy from the SPCA and she wants to be a vet so that would be great experience for her.

athenax3

on Jun 19, 2009 at 8:39 AM

My dd would love to have a summer job- but right now there just aren't any, the jobs teens would usually work have all been taken by adults trying to get by. She does babysit and volunteer though, and she started the local teen book club at the library- but no "job" yet which I'm sort of happy about- I mean why rush? She'll be an adult and working soon enough.

Chunkies

on Jun 22, 2009 at 11:14 AM

My 13 yr. old (daughter) came up with the idea of pet sitting while people are out of town. (last summer) So we put out the word. Which turned out to be a year round job for her. She has returning clients and loves what she does. Although she thinks the money is burning a hole in her pocket. LOL

vanessa18

on May 10, 2010 at 4:27 AM

Wow, I think online job search sites are cool and really help. I used SnagAJob and guess what? I snagged a job! I also use online jobs index site dozenjobs.com to see what the rest of the job market is doing.