Hey, us (sort of) teenagers need jobs too!

On behalf of all teenagers looking for a job- Thank you consumerist.

I work at a YMCA in Charlotte, NC. When i went to the group interview for Camps this year, there were a significant number of "older" people (30+ years of age, probably 10-20% of the applicant pool at this particular interview)
We are just now finishing our Summer Staff training sessions, and there is only 1 new staff that is above the age of 30 (and she is a teacher during the year)
i'm not 100% sure why none of them got the job, but one of the mottoes that has been used at the group interviews for the past few years is "Working at a YMCA camp is not 'just a job'" and that they want to hire people that care for the kids... last summer i worked with a guy who viewed it as "just a job" and was a very weak staffperson

@Wombatish: i wonder how many *actual* teenagers read consumerist regularly (not counting diggtards)

i have a feeling that the consumeris tage group is more heavily weighted towards the 20-somethings, probably 24-30

So, planting marijuana in their pockets of teen competitors is no longer effective?

@gStein:
well the YMCA cares other low wage jobs make you fell like it is just a job and give little to no room to move up and fast food at big fast food chain looks bad if you are over 20 - 25 not in the manager level at that age.

also pizza delivery is not as good as it looks as many places DO NOT PAY ENOUGH to cover the cost OF USEING YOUR OWN CAR and your AUTO insurance may not cover you while you are on the job.

You know, it's posts like these that make me darn glad I got my raise last week.

This is NOT cool! Old people have their own jobs, leave the only places that will hire us alone. We have more needs, like post secondary, textbooks and all that stuff. Aren't we suppose to be the future? The future needs to make money. I suppose I'm a little angry when I saw a 40-ish lady try to take my job... I don't think so lady!

@gStein: I'm 20 (hence the "sort of").

I hate when my comment gets shrunk.

But really.. this is technically still unemployment, or at least I think it should be included. Underemployment ramps up a lot in recessions.

@ohayou_kun: First off...it doesn't matter what your age is, or whether you already have a job. People need jobs, and if this economy is any indication, there are plenty of people who are finding it hard to get by with just one full-time job, and they need something more. It's not about you getting what you think you deserve, or them taking the jobs you wanted - it's every person for himself (or herself) and you are now facing competition.

@gStein:
I at least browse through Consumerist at least once a day at age 18. Most of the issues discussed here don't apply to me yet, but they soon will. Might as well bone up on this sort of thing now before its too late.

That and I find some of the stories interesting.

@ohayou_kun:
I seriously doubt that you as a student have more economical needs that someone who has to support them, their kids, pay off their mortgage, bills, etc.

@ohayou_kun: Oh, grow up. "We have more needs, like post secondary, textbooks and all that stuff." Older people have needs too - silly things like keeping a roof over their heads, feeding the kids, stuff like that.
@pecan 3.14159265: Seconded.

One could argue that it's the teenagers, who spend their summer/weekend job money on clothing, electronics, movie and concert tickets, etc., and have little or no actual financial responsibilities like mortgages or credit card debt, who keep the economy running in times like this.

@Trai_Dep: give them a bag of poppy seeds and 5 bucks if they eat them all at once before the drug test :P

@pecan 3.14159265: thrided

@Dragonis: Need has absolutely nothing to do with qualifications. I don't care who has to pay for what; the best person should get the job.

I'm in my late 20s and have always wanted to work as a roller coaster operator. Although I'm currently a CPA with long hours I would still work a summer job on the side as a roller coaster operator for min. wage. very weird.

@Dragonis: i'm 22, and have a lot of friends that have NFI how to handle 90% of the issues on this site. i've kind of become the go-to guy when someone needs help... i used to hate it, but for some odd reason, i've grown to enjoy it

I'm 18 and work about 30 hours a week. It sucks working almost minimum wage ($8.70 an hour) but its nice to have $8000 in savings and I'm able to buy whatever I want (mostly from slickdeals). I sometimes think its not worth the work since I'll be making at least $20 an hour after I graduate college (accounting major) but I would rather not take out (to many) loans for school.

@ohayou_kun: It's people like you who make people like me hate today's youth. You are the prime example of me me me me. Obviously, it never occurred to you that 'old people'(what is your idea of old anyway?) get hired instead of people like you because we have EXPERIENCE? You are a shining example of how young people SUCK.

I think this is somewhat unfortunate, if only because this will leave young folks with less incentive to find jobs and get some work experience. Having had a job since I was about 12 years old, I think teenage jobs, while not always glamorous, give youth a good way to learn about communicating with those outside there age group. I am a bit surprised about how bitter some of the older folks in the comments seem though, you guys should be glad youth are looking for work and trying to better themselves. It beats a bunch of layabout kids who do nothing and cause trouble!

@Black-Cat: You realize that if less teenagers get jobs, then more will be out causing trouble and doing things that make you hate them right?

@Dragonis: I'm 18 as well and The Consumerist is a site that I visit daily.

@undefined: Hes making a joke people. Christ you guys need to chill out.

@William Brinkman: Ok, while I realize the OP is probably kidding, and that you're framing this in response to him... part of the problem with a recession is that highly qualified people are injected into the job market en masse. And when they're applying for jobs that really don't require those kinds of qualifications, do you still consider them?

Probably. But that forces less-qualified (often teenagers/people entering the job market ((we haven't had as much time as you to become as qualified, even if we've worked our bums off. We also haven't had the opportunities the previously good economy provided for you))) down the ladder.

It sucks.

Not that I'm saying that out of work adults shouldn't apply for whatever jobs they can find. They most certainly should, like everyone has said, expenses are expenses, and a job is a job.

But... don't try to say it doesn't suck for those of us somewhat forced to be on the bottom of the ladder.

@Wombatish: And this applies slightly more to, say, an entry level profession in a career field than a summer job, but the basic idea is present in both.

@morganlh85: That's part of why my mother and I joked about the "economic stimulus" checks being specifically kept away from most teenagers/young adults.

@Wombatish: To be more clear, I was arguing that a person's need does not increase one's claim to a position. A mortgage and kids do not have anything to do with a set of job skills.

This is usually forgotten by a million different slightly embarrassing, very public Facebook status updates of "OMG I'M BROKE NEED JOB NO EMPLOYER APPRECIATES MEEEEEEEEE" where the person is passive/aggressively asking for help but cannot humble themselves to actually ask for it.

you want one of these jobs? go for it. personally, i think there are reasons you only see teenagers in many of these "summer jobs" - they pay shit, your boss is gonna suck, they're going to violate labor laws & you'll be lucky to get paid for the hours you worked.

i thought the other article that advocating "working an hour a day for yourself" was a better idea. if your 30 & you don't have at least one marketable skill that can make you some cash on the side, you're doing something wrong.

@CharityCaecus: /sarcasm

As a 23-year-old living in DC, I can't even find a summer job let alone a full-time one in my field (advertising). I used to work summers at Macy's but the ones around here tell me that they aren't hiring seasonal AND that I'm overqualified (i.e., I used to get paid $9.50 at Macy's West but in DC they're only willing to pay $6.75) What gives?

I have found that a great way to add experience to your resume is to volunteer. Currently developing an interior design website pro bono in exchange for a good reference! :)

@morganlh85: yes one could argue that....

but no one will because that isn't the case.

I have an interview for a part time job this evening. My current position is possibly being eliminated/reduced to part time and rather than wait and see I'm trying to get something lined up. Worst case scenario I have at least a part time job come September, best case, I make back the money I lost from mandatory furlough and a little extra.

@.Xenn.: If the "Old People" has to take jobs at Taco Bell, you can bet that if they are qualified for anything better, as soon as it comes along, they'll be out of there. Then the job will open up for the teenager / college kid. Those jobs have incredible turnover.

Anyway, you have the right idea with your website thing. If you can't find something, make it for yourself! :)

@.Xenn.: that's also a great way to get more work. volunteer organizations & the people that run them frequently hire/refer contracts to individuals in their volunteer pool.

of course, sometimes it goes the other way too, but i've had success both ways.

@William Brinkman: No, a mortgage does not excuse you and does not make you more valuable as an employee - but just because you're 17 and need money for college doesn't make you more valuable as an employee either, and it doesn't make you any more deserving than anyone else.

I've always wanted to be the person who makes cotton candy. What a sweet and awesome job. Or a hot dog vendor, but that would only be for the hot dogs. Or, ideally, I could pull two jobs - one as a hot dog vendor, and one at a gym so then I could get a free or discounted membership and work of all those hot dogs.

Hey, if an adult can sustain themselves (and/or their famlies) with a summer job, that's great. Though I suppose you should figure out if unemployment is a "better deal."

It sucks for the teenagers/college kids, but the adults need it more. They have to pay for the rent and food and stuff.

Listen -

first of all, to @Black-Cat who said young people "suck" - that was incredibly uncalled for. We're already paying for your social security, so please give us the same common courtesy and respect we expect you to give us in return.
A mortgage and kids doesn't automatically make you more deserving of my summer or part-time job. The recession has cut the parental cord so no, we're not being pampered and taken care of, we're paying thousands in tuition, we're paying rent, we've got bills just as you do. Why should the jobs we traditionally have be taken by people twice our age who demand them on the basis of higher need?
Many of you spoke of older employees being more deserving because of their greater experience, which begs the question of how we're supposed to build experience if our jobs keep being usurped? I doubt anyone wants a generation of recession teenagers who have little to no work experience - that'd create a pretty pale job market in ten years.
Finally, all this competition from older people is pushing teenagers and college students more towards unpaid internships. Yes, this can be great, but it can often mean a lot of opportunistic business owners taking advantage of students and treating interns as free labor rather than up-and-coming employees looking for a learning experience.
@ohayou_kun:

@lmarconi: People are not "demanding jobs" they are interviewing like everyone else. At this point I won't take a part time job that pays $8, if someone wants to pay a little extra for my experience and proven reliability I will take additional work, leaving jobs at places who are just looking for a cheap body to fill a position to teenagers

@pecan 3.14159265: I want to be a crossing guard

@lmarconi: I don't exactly get why I suck. I'm in my mid-20s, and I have responsibilities just like everyone else. I'm not out at 2 am boozing it up and wantonly spending my money. I'm asleep so I can get enough sleep to get up for my job in the morning.

I don't agree with the original poster of this particular post in that older people with established jobs should stay away from what "young people" perceive to be their "territory," but I don't think that just because you have a mortgage and kids means you're entitled more so than someone else. It's about who is best fit for a position, regardless of age or responsibility in life. Yes, you feel burned when someone you think is less deserving gets the job - but that's life.

@mac-phisto: Seriously, please by all means go be a camp counselor - on call 24/hr a day for 3 months for $1,500, even if you consider free room+board you're still making ~$0.65/hr.

@gravitus: you think so? don't know much about demographic figures and who is marketed the most.

Remove reckless abandonment teens and young adults and you get a stale economy.

@gStein: I am 20 now, but I have been reading the consumerist faithfully since I was 18.

You said 30 & 40 year olds looking for jobs? What about us 50+? I can not find a job, and am willing to take what I get. No income now except for generosity of family. Live alone, have animals to care for besides myself. House, medical (no insurance). So teenagers, if I do manage to snag a job, sorry but With the economy the way it is & I have to live too!

@Black-Cat: So how is he supposed to get that much-vaunted experience if no one will hire him because he lacks experience? I think his post is over the top, but he sort of has a point. I don't blame teenagers and college students trying to find summer jobs getting frustrated and pissed off because older people who have been laid off are taking them. Everyone is frustrated and pissed off, in case you haven't noticed. It's a terrible economy, and there are no jobs.

And frankly, going off on a rant like that about how much you hate "today's youth" and how "young people SUCK" says more about you and your level of maturity than it does him. The funny part is that, judging by the language you use, you're probably only about thirty or something.

You know, it doesn't matter what age you are. Almost any job is better than having no job.

You can either choose to lay around on your ass all day, or you can choose to be useful to yourself, your family, and/or society.

Sure it sucks to get paid minimum wage, but at least you are making the effort. Unlike all those drug addicts and losers (like my brother and his thief son) who lay around on their asses all day collecting state and federal money, doing nothing but smoking crack and breaking laws.