- Obama Says Will Raise Currency Issue with China
- Look Ahead: 'Risk On' Attitude Could Fuel Rally Further
- Can Apple Top Microsoft as Most Valuable Tech Firm?
- Buffett to Sell Stakes in Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific
- Cramer: 5 Stocks to Play the Next Bull Run
- Do You Know Your Coca-Cola Myths?
- Electronic Arts Beats Street, Announces 1,500 Job Cuts
- Time Is Here to Look at Overseas Stocks: Bill Gross
- Home Prices Start to Stabilize In the US as Sales Pick Up
- Warren Buffett to Sell Stakes In Union Pacific & Norfolk Southern
- Nov. 9: Unusual Volume Leaders
- The Battered Businesses Behind Housing
- Modern Warfare 2's Record-Breaking Launch
- Merck’s Mega-Monday Morning
- Why are Traders Bullish on This Food Company?
- Profiting From Natural Gas: Strategists
- S&P Stocks Trading at New 52-Week Highs
- Shopping for Answers
MOST SHARED
- Future of Marketing
- Oil Tomorrow
- Priceline Crushes Profit Forecasts; Shares Jump
- Home Prices Start to Stabilize In the US as Sales Pick Up
- Dow Industrials at New Highs—But Other Indices Lag
- Dow Up Over 100 After G20 Stimulus Pledge
- Can Apple Top Microsoft as Most Valuable Tech Firm?
- 'Modern Warfare 2': Biggest Entertainment Event of 2009?
- Sprint to Cut Up to 2,500 Jobs, Sees Charge
Text Size 
Employers are looking to hire teenagers this summer, but teens are just not interested.
 |
AP Jobs are available for teens this summer, but many are skipping traditional jobs like restaurant work. |
Despite an economic slowdown, American employers are expected to add between 1.5 million and 1.6 million 16-to-19-year olds to their payrolls according to a report by Challenger, just slightly lower than the 1.64 million jobs that were filled by teens during May, June and July last year.
Many of the jobs available might go unfilled.
“Flipping burgers, or folding shirts at a clothing store simply are not appealing to today’s technology addicted, career-oriented teen,” Challenger said.
Many teens are seeking jobs that will help them get into college, so they're skipping the traditional summer employment that doesn't add anything to a resume. Instead, they're taking summer courses (including college-prep classes), doing volunteer work or running their own businesses.
"Teenagers are increasingly participating in a wide range of activities that do not allow time for summer jobs," Challenger said.
Last summer, teenagers were so uninterested in summer work that just 50 percent of 16-to 19-year olds said they had a job or were looking for a job -- a record low, according to the report. The highest rate was in July 1978 when 72 percent of teenagers were working or looking for a summer job.
Number of Summer Jobs Gained by 16-to-19-Year-Olds |
| Year | Summer Jobs Gained* |
| 1998 | 2,003,000 |
| 1999 | 2,017,000 |
| 2000 | 1,509,000 |
| 2001 | 1,742,000 |
| 2002 | 1,656,000 |
| 2003 | 1,469,000 |
| 2004 | 1,592,000 |
| 2005 | 1,736,000 |
| 2006 | 1,734,000 |
| 2007 | 1,635,000 |
*Job gains from the months of May, June & July. Source: Challenger, Gray & Christmas |
The numbers are bad news to employers ranging from landscaping firms to restaurants to hotels who are looking to teenagers to fill positions that were once filled by immigrants. Because of a provision in immigration laws, it is estimated that 65,000 fewer foreign workers will be able to enter the United States this summer, leaving more labor intensive jobs unfilled.
Although these jobs are available, teenagers are skipping this type of work: "Many may pass the opportunity to work in labor intensive areas" that immigrants would have filled, said Challenger, because "many are seeking opportunities that will enhance their chances of getting into a good college and look good on a professional resume."
Comments, Questions:
Print
Email
- Do free market libertarians really believe what they say about ethics and shareholder value? The Big Money takes a look.
- Cramer did the research and found eight stocks that lead the pack. Read on to get his top picks.
- On the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, many in the former Eastern Bloc recall communism fondly.
- Software, biotech firms, even banks are watching a particular Supreme Court argument today.
- From politicians to CEOs to companies, here's your chance to vote for the winners and losers of 2009.
- A new sinister Internet viruses can turn you into an unsuspecting collector of child pornography.
Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes