Summer Job Search a Mixed Bag

The teenage unemployment rate in California is more than 34 percent, nearly triple the state’s overall unemployment rate of 11.9 percent, according to the latest figures from the California Labor Market Review. Against those odds, some Piedmont teenagers are having more luck than others finding summer jobs.

“It’s really hard,” said Emily Cohen, 15, a Piedmont High School junior.

To stave off what could turn out to feel like an interminable summer, Cohen has opted to work for free.

“I’m going to volunteer at a sleep-away camp,” said Cohen.

Cohen said many of her friends are searching for jobs but none have had luck.

“They’re applying anywhere and everywhere." One friend has applied to 15 places, said Cohen, including McDonald's and Jamba Juice, but she is yet to be hired.

Janice Shriver, a labor market consultant at the California Employment Development Department, said the emaciated job climate means students no longer have the monopoly in the sectors they have historically dominated, such as retail and food outlets.

“The youth are now facing competition from everyone,” said Shriver. “Older workers, and really anyone who’s looking for work, are all competing for the same part time jobs just to survive.”

The Piedmont Recreation Department offers local youth some help with their employment search.

The Piedmont League Action for Youth (PLAY) program matches students from 6th grade through high school with residents who need extra help in areas such as gardening, babysitting, painting, transportation, and pet care. The matching process begins June 20, but students can pre-register starting in early June.

About 70 students have signed up since June 9 when pre-registration opened, according to Recreation Supervisor Penny Robb. Students can continue to register throughout the summer, but with competition for jobs fierce, she said it pays to sign up early.

“We usually have around 100 to 120 students participate."

Kira Setren, who graduated from PHS Thursday, is worried it will be tough to find work at this stage.

"I need to find a job," she said, "Most places are full."

Those who applied early are relieved.

“I got a job,” said PHS senior Shawnim Kashani. “I’m babysitting for the first half of the summer.” She plans to use the money she makes to travel for the rest of the summer.

For the fortunate few, there was no job search. PHS senior Sophia El-Wakil landed her job as an assistant at the Recreation Department’s tennis courts without lifting a finger.

“It wasn’t difficult,” said El-Wakil, 17. “The coach asked me if I wanted to do it.”

Others opted to dodge the summer job thing all together.

“[Working] is the last thing I would want to do,” said PHS junior Gillian Baldwin. “It’s been such a stressful school year.”