COVID-19 has created problems in the job market. Due to recent lay-offs and businesses shutting their doors, adults are not the only ones having a hard time getting a paycheck.
Most teens rely on summer jobs to have some spending money throughout the year, but this year, teens are facing the toughest job market yet.
Trying to juggle classes, extracurricular activities, and a job can be really difficult. The extra free time in the summer provides the perfect opportunity to earn some extra cash.
“Whenever you go to stores or places that do hire teenagers, normally they have signs that say, "We’re hiring now," so it’s a lot easier to know when there's job availabilities, but now you have to search the internet and make sure they hire minors," said Lea Boal, a Copperas Cove ISD student.
Boal said she had a job but, due to the virus has been without work for two months.
“All of my friends are looking right now. I used to work with one of my friends, but ever since this whole pandemic hit, our job was based on community and going out into the community and since that we cant have those events any more," she said.
The novel coronavirus has taken a toll on restaurants, retail, and small businesses- all places that hire students for part time work. Now, there are more limited jobs along with a larger group of people competing for those spots.
“It teaches young people a lot about financial stability, like before I had a job, I would rely on my parents to pay for everything. But now that I had a job, I was able to pay for more and be more responsible with my money,” said Boal.
There is hope. As the economy slowly looks to rebound with businesses reopening, more jobs will become available.
