June and July are generally the peak months of teen employment. However, within the last decade, teens have experienced low employment rates.

National studies have shown that teen employment has recently hit a record low, dropping from 52 percent in 1999 to 32.25 percent in the summer of 2013. According to research by Andrew Sum, director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University in Boston, teenagers whose parents have a higher yearly income more often have summer jobs than those with income under $20,000 a year.

“I like not having a job because I like having the freedom of an open schedule,” junior Mandy Vignali said.  “It also keeps me from not having to worry about waking up early or staying at work late.”

According to Karen Brown, MBA President & CEO of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce, there are a number of factors that could be contributing to a drop in employment for teenagers, including the number of adult displaced workers who are seeking job opportunities. Some of these displaced workers have taken on jobs traditionally held by teenagers, including fast food and retail jobs. She says displaced workers have work experience that an employer may deem valuable. Age, lack of transportation and the influence of parents are also among the reasons why some teens opt out of job opportunities.

“I decided not to get a job because I was out of town for most of the summer,” sophomore Carson Lewis said.  “I enjoyed having the summer off but it still would’ve been nice to have some more cash.”

According to researchers at the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University in Boston, there are multiple benefits to teen employment. Not only does it give teens a taste of the real world and economy, but recent studies say that teens with jobs actually do better in school and are more likely to graduate from college than those who are unemployed. Even a low-paying, entry-level job gives teens valuable experience in the workforce and the chance to take on responsibilities which could be helpful when looking for a job down the road.

“The advice I would give to a teenager would be to be professional when seeking a job. Ask questions of the interviewer when engaged in a job interview. This shows interest in the job, as well as in the business you would be working for,” Brown said. “Above all, polish those customer service skills. A smile and a warm greeting go a long way.”

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