But There Are No Jobs! What Teens Can Do in a Tough Job Climate

The summer job climate is tough for job searching teens this year. Northeastern University's Center for Labor Market Studies estimates that 27 percent of teens nationwide will get a summer job between June and August. That's an improvement on the dismal 25.6 percent from last year - the lowest employment numbers for teens since the 1940s.


The reality of this fact was evident when more than 200 Southland teens showed up at a job fair in May held by the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the Village of Richton Park. In addition to Hire Learning, Chase Bank, Best Buy Pace Suburban Bus Service and the Illinois Institute of Art were all in attendance and collected several resumes from attendees.


With many teens getting bumped out of positions by older adults who are also dealing with this tough economic climate and high levels of unemployment, what are their options? While many employers might not have the capital to bring on new hires, they are willing to bring in young people in an internship capacity. Not only does this provide vital job experience to teens, but it also provides the employer an opportunity to receive much needed labor that they may not be able to afford. 


The National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) took a lead on this practice this summer. After being advised in a professional development workshop that they needed to begin to tap the talents of young people for social media marketing tasks, NAAIA decided to do just that. They implemented a summer internship for Marketing Assistants who will be placed with local participating insurance offices. Not only will this be an opportunity for teens to get valuable work experience, but it will help insurance agencies create a 21st Century mode of communicating with their customer base. 


As well, internships allow young people the opportunity to explore new industries and career opportunities that they may have known little about and create a network of adults who will be able to assist with their future career goals. According to Margaret Redd, President of NAAIA, "by working with young people in internships, we hope to introduce the insurance field to a new group of potential insurance professionals."


Although paid summer job positions may be scarce, internship opportunities abound and are beneficial to everyone involved.


For more information on the May 2011 Teen Job fair, visit: http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/news/5339394-418/toil-trouble-for-teens-job-outlook-is-grim.html