Teen Job Seekers Face Challenges in Summer Employment Quest

WHO:

ABC News - Jaelyn Chester, a 17-year-old A+ student and aspiring engineer from Lake Mary, Florida.

AP News - Max Stephenson, a 19-year-old from Little Rock, Arkansas.

AP News - Connor Vukelich, a 20-year-old student at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University.

AP News - Demie Njea, a 16-year-old from Lexington, Kentucky.

AP News - Nicole Bachaud, an economist for ZipRecruiter.

AP News - Jaune Little, director of recruiting services at Insperity.

WHAT:

ABC News - About one-third of 16- to 19-year-olds in the U.S. were employed last summer, down from a peak of about 60% in the late 1970s.

AP News - The number of jobs secured by teens fell 25% last summer from the year prior.

AP News - The lowest summer hiring total for teens since the federal government began tracking it in 1948 is expected this year.

AP News - Njea estimates she applied for more than 100 jobs in total.

WHERE:

ABC News - Lake Mary, Florida.

AP News - Little Rock, Arkansas.

AP News - Vancouver, Washington.

AP News - Lexington, Kentucky.

WHEN:

AP News - A 2022 report by Pew Research Center indicated trends in teen employment.

AP News - The Great Recession occurred from 2007 to 2009.

WHY:

ABC News - Experts predict inflation, oil prices, and cautious hiring will lead to fewer jobs for teens.

AP News - Some entry-level jobs have been eliminated, and teens now compete with more experienced candidates for remaining positions.

AP News - Vukelich believes artificial intelligence is robbing teens of potential jobs and that minimum wage laws have made it harder for first-time job seekers.

HOW:

ABC News - Chester keeps copies of her resume in her car and has a 30-second spiel memorized for job inquiries.

AP News - Vukelich launched Poppin’ Jobs, an employment search site aimed at teens and 20-somethings.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 14:09 UTC)

A recent report reveals that the number of jobs secured by teens has fallen significantly, with experts predicting the lowest summer hiring total for this age group since 1948. Many young people, like 16-year-old Demie Njea from Lexington, Kentucky, are facing tough competition for limited positions, as they now vie against more experienced candidates and contend with the impact of inflation and rising oil prices. In response to these challenges, 17-year-old Jaelyn Chester from Lake Mary, Florida, has taken proactive steps by keeping copies of her resume in her car and preparing a quick pitch for job inquiries.