Now Hiring: Apply today

Another door slammed in a teenager’s face, another failed attempt to earn their own money.

Getting a job has always been hard for students, but this year more and more employers are choosing not to hire young adults.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2011, the unemployment rate for teenagers was 24.2 percent; this rose to 25.6 percent in July 2011. The unemployment rate for women 20 years and older in July 2011 was 8.6 percent. The unemployment rate for men 20 years and older in July 2011 was 8.5 percent. Despite the significantly higher unemployment rate for teenagers, students do manage to find jobs.

The classic first job for high school students lasts only for a summer.

“If we hire five people [over the summer], only one stays,” Five Below manager Lina Morley said.

It can become almost impossible to balance schoolwork and a job.

“AP World takes up so much of my day,” sophomore Iptisam Ahmed said. “I’d rather pass the class instead of failing it with a little money in my pocket.”

Sometimes, students aren’t even given the option to earn their own money.

“My parents won’t let me get [a job],” sophomore Ben Alter said. “They have a right to, though; school’s crazy.”

Others choose not to let schoolwork prevent them from getting a job.

“If you worry about anything too much, it will consume you,” senior Ben Zimmerman said. “Besides, my school work is easy.”

However, some students do manage to balance a job and difficult classes.

Junior Amber Dillon works at Fairfax Corner 14 for 25 to 30 hours per week to get money for college, and she is currently enrolled in AP US History.

“It’s not too hard,” Dillon said. “I try to get a lot of my homework done in class for my other classes and AP work ahead of time.”

According to Dillon, balancing everything can get stressful at times, but it ends up being worth it for her.

“I have a friend who also works, but she’s not in an AP class,” Amber said. “It’s easier for her.”

jobs, work Features