The first job a teenager gets can be imperative for future employment.
But a fair number of teenagers are going jobless for the time being. According to an unemployment study conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in July of this year, the employment rate for ages 16-24 is the lowest since 1948. This July dropped 2.5 percent from last July.
“The economy is partly to blame, of course,” Erica Foster, Manager of the Lookout Valley Hillbilly Willy’s Catering Company, said about the teen unemployment rate. “From what I’ve noticed in my community, I’d say it also has to do with the teen’s work ethic, and how they were raised. More and more parents aren’t making their kids get jobs, nor encouraging a good work ethic. Employers aren’t inclined to hire someone who can’t even sweep the floor.”
Jenison Owens, a junior at Lookout Valley High School, is feeling the frustration.
“I’ve applied for about six jobs starting in June of this year, and I haven’t gotten any feedback from my applications at all,” Jenison said. “I really wanted some extra money for gas and insurance, I’d like to be less dependent on my parents.”
Tanner Thul, a senior at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, is also currently lacking a job. But that fact hasn’t caused too much stress. Yet.
“I’m pretty much okay with it since I still depend on my parents. I would like to have a job just to have more spending money and experience. It is a little discouraging though, especially to think about what would happen if I got through college and still couldn’t find a job.”
Torey Yates is a student at Lookout Valley High School.