feature story

Ever since the United States entered a recession, people have experienced its effects in many different ways. Some people have been greatly impacted, and have had to make major lifestyle changes. Others may not have been affected at all; or have merely been a bit more conscious of their spending, without making many major changes. As Washington struggles to find a way out of this recession, citizens are still forced to deal with it for the time being. This spring, high school seniors begin to think about their transition to independent young adults. It begins with grad parties, where the newly graduated try to rake in as much money as possible to help them put a foot out into the college world. The truth is, college is expensive, and grad party cash just isn’t going to cut it. There is something else post-high school graduates need before they head into the real world; a summer job. With the kind of economy we face right now, that could prove to be more difficult than it has been for others in the past.
Over the past couple years, and still into 2010, even the most experienced and educated work professionals have been laid off in every field imaginable. With adults and trained professionals being laid off of work, it very well could be a struggle for teens and young adults to find summer jobs. There is a huge group of people seeking a small availability of jobs available. The trouble is that companies are cutting down on employees in order to cut costs, so job-hunting teens take the brunt of that. Many times, teens will apply to many places, maybe ten or twenty, and will only end up with a few interviews. Employers have a bulk of applications coming in but have very few positions to fill. There are countless people looking for jobs, but no jobs to take.
There are a couple different strategies teens are taking to try and find a job this summer. The first is trying to use connections, be it friends or family, to snag a job. Eastview senior Ben Paulus has looked to a couple friends working at Mendakota country club in Mendota Heights to put in a good word and set up an interview. If that doesn’t work, he plans to work at the summer camp where is sister is a head counselor. Either way, Paulus has found some effective connections to help him land a job. Alex Stuhr, a junior at Eastview, works for his father’s lemonade stand called Lemon Heaven. A few of Alex’s friends also depend on the small family run stand for some summer income. Connections can be very helpful, but you shouldn’t rely on someone else to get a job for you.
Another thing teens can do is search for jobs that only teens are hired for. Senior Laura Gengler recently got a job at Camp Wapo, a Lutheran summer camp that hires high school and college students to be camp counselors. Lifeguarding is also a great summer job for teens; it is the epitome of a ‘summer job,’ because it is only in the summer. This is perfect for teens, who have the whole summer off. Another place looking for teens to employ is amusement parks. They have job fairs in the spring, and hire huge quantities of employees for the summer. By seeking out jobs targeting teens, they can greatly increase their chance of being hired, because they don’t have to beat out adults with tons of experience.
Some people rely on being rehired for annual position, and college students often go back to former employers to pick up where they left off. Erin Foley, a lifeguard at Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center, met with her employers at the end of the season last year, and she was told she would be hired next season. This spring, all she has to do is fill out a modified application, and she is then rehired. Many college students come back to their previous jobs, seasonal or not, because employers know they are trustworthy and good employees. Staying connected with your former employer could help you land that job again once you’re home from college.
There are some people who choose to take the traditional route of trying to get a job; filling out countless applications and hoping for some interviews. Eastview senior Nick Hiracheta filled out an application to Nickelodeon Universe as I talked to him about his plans for working this summer. He doesn’t really know where he wants to or cares where he works; he wants to get a job anywhere he can. Hiracheta plans to fill out plenty of applications, and in the meantime will work at Lemon Heaven with Stuhr. For kids who have never had a job before, but are trying to find one for the summer, they might have to work a little harder to find a job. For those in that sticky situation, here are a couple things you can do to boost your chances of snagging a job;
1. Be proactive. Get out there and show your face; make an effort to meet future employers and give them a good impression. Be willing to fill out plenty of applications, and put some time and effort into getting a job. If you put in the time and have a quality application, it will pay off.
2. Be persistent. If you apply for a position, call in and ask to talk to a manager and let them know you’re interested. By doing this, you’ll stand out from the hundreds of other applications they receive. Even if you don’t get a job the first time, keep applying places. Your chance of getting a job increases with every application.
3. Be flexible. If you’re strapped for cash, don’t be picky on where you work. A job is a job, so take on when you can get one. It’s important to make some money for college during the summer, so don’t be choosy on where you’ll take a job.
4. Don’t wait. The key to snagging a summer job is to start early. Start filling out applications before the school year is over; the earlier, the better.
5. Make a good impression. Dress nicely for an interview, and be prepared. Your first impression may be the only chance you have, so it is important to be memorable, but in a good way.
By following a few of these guidelines, students are a little more prepared to go and find a summer job. It might be tougher than ever because of the recession, so with some time, effort, patience, and a little bit of luck, students may just be able to land a job this summer.