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Summer teen jobs scarce Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.mtv.com/chooseorlose/headlines/news.jhtml?id=1486877http://www.mtv.com/chooseorlose/headlines/news.jhtml?id=1486877
Summer Jobs Scarce For Teens
05.07.2004 4:32 PM EDT
Lisa Brathwaite is a senior at the Dorchester Education Complex in Dorchester, Massachusetts. She is the vice president for the Academy of Public Service at her school. She is headed to Bowdoin College in the fall on a full scholarship. And she was a computer coach for kids ages 5-12 at the Codman Square tech center last summer. "I have a good work ethic. I'm capable. I'm dependable and self-motivated," she said.
But despite her accomplishments, this year Braithwaite is not as hopeful about her summer job prospects.
"Kids used to be able to count on getting jobs at the fast-food places and the retail places. Those jobs have seen a 33 percent decline in the last two years," said Josh Bruno, the summer jobs coordinator for the Boston Private Industry Council.
The jobs that traditionally went to high school students like Braithwaite are being taken by minority immigrants and college kids returning for the summer this year. Bruno said kids also lose out because they can't work the odd hours or the long hours that, perhaps, an immigrant worker or someone who needs a second job might be willing to work.
Matthew Power-Koch, Brathwaite's career specialist and Academy of Public Service Coordinator for the Dorchester Educational Complex, said because of the tough economy, competition is even tougher this year. Federally funded programs are low on money and have become more specific about eligibility requirements. "Only 15- to 17-year-olds qualify for federally funded positions," he said. "So ... it's been really, really tough."
While the Labor Department reports that the national unemployment rate inched down to 5.6 percent and the economy created some 288,000 jobs last month, those indicators just don't reflect the teenage market, according to Bruno. "Kids are the last to see the recovery." So as city and state budgets tighten up, he's relying on the private sector to pick up the slack. Agencies like his send out up to 3,000 letters soliciting corporations such as Fleet Bank and State Street Bank for positions. John Greeley, Tech Boston account manager, hopes for kids to get placement in 4,000 private-sector jobs this year. "We are optimistic," he said.
But Chicago isn't looking as rosy when it comes to the private sector. Peggy Luce, vice president at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, said efforts to reach out to corporations has gotten a mediocre response this year. "Last year we came up with 700. We wanted more this year, but companies are cautious with their budgets." So Chicago is looking to get some 14,000 students employed at sister agencies such as the school and park districts. Chicago has a program called Kidstart where kids register online, and a group screens their applications and matches them with employers. "That program is unfunded," Luce said with a laugh. "We're volunteers."
So what skills are landing kids on top? Bruno said kids with great communication and interpersonal skills do well. Lewis Pierrot, a junior at Mt. Vernon High School in Mount Vernon, New York, will return as a caddy at a country club in Westchester County. "The reason they like me is they know I'll be there a while. I'm energetic. How you present yourself is how they pick you. The members like me."
Kids who can write e-mails and generally function in an office environment are also in demand. "The tech-savvy kids do really well, ones who can go the extra mile and help out with a problem," Bruno said. "Kids who can multitask, answer problems and do data entry, and kids who specialize in career pathways, such as healthcare, are in working in the radiology or histology departments in hospitals."
It's important to manage expectations and be realistic about the wages and hours, Bruno said, because of the competition. And the competition isn't only due to the state of the economy. Damien King, a junior at Mt. Vernon High School, said boys are having a tougher time getting jobs than the girls. He applied for a job at a new grocery store opening in his town. "The cashier girls are all hired already," King said. His teacher, Bill Rundle, agreed. "They've promised to staff their store with 60 percent Mt. Vernon kids. Another boy did get a callback, but we're investigating."
Braithwaite said if she doesn't get the government job she's applying for, she'll keep trying. "It makes me question what's going in the country. How's it gonna be when I graduate from college?"
—Joya Dass
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