Yesterday, we talked about job prospects for the most recent crop of college grads, and things are looking good in terms of both starting salaries and number of jobs available. But what about the outlook for their younger brothers and sisters looking to earn some money at summer jobs?
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Summer Jobs There for the Taking (or Leaving), Survey Reveals
An improving economy and falling unemployment should significantly improve the job prospects for the nation’s teens this summer—at least for the declining number of teens who actually want jobs.
In its annual teen summer job outlook, global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., notes that employment among 16- to 19-year-olds is currently at its highest nonsummer level since 2009 and is expected to increase as school lets out and seasonal job opportunities expand.
Last year, teen employment increased by 1,297,000 jobs during the summer months of May, June, and July, according to nonseasonally adjusted data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That was down 4.3% from the previous year, when 1,355,000 teenagers found jobs from May through July.
Despite the decline in teen job gains, the overall number of employed 16- to 19-year-olds was actually higher last year. At peak employment in July, 5,553,000 teenagers were employed. That was up from 5,504,000 in July 2013.
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As of March, just 2 months before the teen employment surge that begins as school ends, there were 4,491,000 employed 16- to 19-year-olds. That is the highest March employment level for this age group since 2009. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate among teens was 17% in March, down significantly from a recession high of 29%, recorded in June 2010.
“Teenagers wanting jobs this summer will, by no means, have it easy. There is still a lot of competition from their peers, as well as older jobseekers willing to take lower-paying jobs. However, the improving economy means that some of those who had settled for jobs normally reserved for teens are moving up to higher skilled, higher paying positions, thus leaving the door open for more teens,” says John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
A recent survey of 1,000 employers by hourly wage job search site Snagajob.com offers further support of a stronger summer job market this year, with nearly 80% of employers expecting summer hiring to increase or stay about the same as last year.
“It is key for young people who want to work this summer to not wait until the final school bell to begin the job search. If you have not started talking to employers yet, now is the time to do so,” said Challenger.
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I’m curious about how many middle- and upper-class teens even want to work these days (or at least expected to by their parents). The expectations for such teens to have part-time or summer jobs seems to have gone by the wayside.