There has been a lot of talk lately about how this spring’s college graduates were going to have an impossible time finding work. If you are someone graduating from college this month, I want to give you a “booster shot” of encouragement: People are finding jobs more easily than expected. Don’t go into this discouraged; the possibilities for employment are there.
But today, I specifically want to talk about teens.
If you are a teenager — or the parent or grandparent of one — you need to know that this summer, jobs are much more readily available than they have been in years, particularly in the restaurant and hospitality industries. Part of this is due to the immigration crackdown, and part of it is due to long-term factors that have made it very difficult for hotels and restaurants to attract and retain workers.
The Value of a “Traditional” Summer Job
A lot of teens don’t work anymore during the summer or after school. I think that’s a lost opportunity because you learn so much about life through a job.
I had a requirement in my house: All three of my kids had to have a traditional summer job the summer they turned 15. Two of my three kids worked in restaurants, and they learned so much from those experiences. They learned to treat people well and what it felt like to be treated poorly by customers.
When you work a summer job, you start to understand two very important things:
It is hard work to earn money.
It is hard for a business owner to make a profit.
Where the Jobs Are
The labor shortage in hospitality is real. The other day, I was walking past a restaurant that treats its employees exceptionally well. In all the years I’ve been going there, I have never once seen a “Help Wanted” sign because they usually keep their staff forever. But guess what? They had a giant sign on the door.
While retail may not be hiring as aggressively as in the past, the opportunities in hospitality and restaurants are wide open.
So, to the teenagers out there: There is no excuse. You can’t tell your parents that you can’t find a job. They are out there! They may not be jobs you are particularly excited about doing, but you will certainly be excited about what they pay.
If you’re willing to put in the work this summer, the hospitality industry is waiting for you. Get out there, gain some experience, and start building those savings.
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