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They are not at the beach...or on the beach. Teen employment in the US has hit its highest level since 2009, with 37% of 16- to 19-year-olds holding a job (or searching for one) in 2023, according to Labor Department data. This is a significant increase from the past four decades, which saw a decline in teen employment. The Washington Post reports that this uptick in teen employment is a positive sign for the US economy, indicating a growing job market and increased opportunities for young people.

"SO WHAT DO YOU DO?" - It's the simplest starter question of all time when meeting someone. However, according to this The Wall Street Journal article, it might also not be a great one to open with. The article discusses the anxiety surrounding the question, saying that for individuals who have taken career breaks (women, stay-at-home parents, laid-off workers) this simple query can be anxiety inducing. The identity of many people is tied to their job title which can lead to feelings of diminished self-worth during employment transitions. Advice in the article suggests reframing the first question to focus on a person's passions and broader experiences. I agree! For one it makes for conversations that are far more interesting. I often frame my first question with something like "I'm a recruiter and I spend my day talking to people about what they do for a living. If you don't mind I'd like to hear more about you as a person. What's the (INSERT THEIR NAME) story?" On occasions it's awkward. On occasions they default to what they do for a living. On occasions they are taken aback. However often I think they appreciate the change in approach. Frequently it makes for an interesting and memorable conversation. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has an interesting story. Be curious and interested to listen to it. As I write this I think about all the fascinating stories I have heard when asking this question. About the young work colleague who had once been nuzzled by a baby great white shark while out surfing. About the CFO who drove cabs on the weekends because he felt guilty for not submitting his families lottery ticket the weekend their numbers came up. About the amateur drummer who was subbed in to perform with one of the world's biggest rock bands when their normal drummer was unavailable. And on and on and on ... Everyone, and I mean everyone, has an interesting story. Ask them about it.

Thousands of teens are revitalizing the part-time job market. It is a significant shift for Gen Z, with an increasing number of them seeking after-school and summer jobs, "reversing a trend of forgoing work when millennials were teens," The Washington Post said in a recent analysis. At least 250,000 more teens are working compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Post's analysis of Labor Department data. The wave of teen applicants is boosting employment for restaurants and retail stores and "changing cultural norms," said the Post. The recent uptick breaks a pattern of more than four decades of declines in teen employment. "When the labor market is tight, more teens work," Elizabeth Ananat, an economics professor at Barnard College, told the Post. "When teens hear there are jobs available, they take the jobs." In the background lurked an ominous surge of child labor violations in 2023, a shift The Washington Post said was fueled by fast food companies illegally scheduling thousands of teens to work long, late hours. Some states are nonetheless loosening local mandates to allow teens to work longer hours. Florida 16- and 17-year-olds are a step closer to being allowed to surpass 40 work hours during the school week after the Florida House passed a Republican-backed bill. Critics are calling the legislation a "child labor" bill that would "walk back decades of laws protecting children and preventing them from working overly long hours," the Tallahassee Democrat said.

📊 Economic Shifts Fueling Gen Z's Employment Surge 📊 Gen Z is reversing decades-long declines in teen employment, reaching a remarkable 38% employment rate not seen since 2009. Economic factors like increased demand in the leisure and hospitality sectors, which added over 42,000 jobs, are key drivers. Rising costs of education and living are also pushing teens to enter the workforce in a learn and earn environment. #GenZ #JobMarket #TeenEmployment #WorkforceDevelopment

Think no one wants to work anymore? That’ll definitely get an eye roll from teenagers. Teen employment in the US is at its highest since 2009, with 37% of 16- to 19-year-olds holding a job (or searching for one) in 2023, Labor Department data shows. The uptick in teens working reverses forty years of decline, according to the Washington Post. It helps that the tight labor market means high-schoolers can get jobs that actually pay: Workers aged 16–24 got a 9.8% pay bump last year, which is nearly twice the jump for working people overall, per the Atlanta Fed. https://lnkd.in/gT4u9KWp

"We should take stock of placing so much significance on employment in determining our worth as social beings." For many professionals in the U.S., employment is key to one’s sense of self, determining how we measure our social status and self-worth. Yet, this self-worth is threatened as professionals have become recent casualties of pervasive labor market uncertainty. As unemployment reaches historic levels in the Covid-19 crisis, now is a good time to re-examine the link between our identities and our jobs. Rethinking roles outside of work may be one way that parents can begin the process. Research finds that mothers and fathers experience unemployment differently. Unemployed women talked about gaining access to a new social world: that of stay-at-home moms. Unemployed fathers, on the other hand, sometimes felt stigmatized as they took on more parenting duties. As steady employment becomes more precarious in the U.S., and indeed globally, uncoupling moral worth from employment will require a cultural shift, one that can be catalyzed by social policies.c https://lnkd.in/dQZ9WvMW

Don’t Call It a Comeback Don’t call it a comeback – teen jobs are on the rise again! The share of teens working or looking for work has hit a 14-year high of 38%. This surge in teen employment is shaking up the workforce dynamics, showing that Gen Z is ready and willing to dive into the job market. Why is this happening? Good Thing: Tight labor markets are pushing employers to tap into younger, eager workers. Teens are gaining invaluable work experience, learning essential skills early on, and earning their own money. This sets them up for future success and financial independence. Bad Thing: On the flip side, are we pushing our teens into the workforce too soon? With rising home costs and economic pressures, many teens might be working out of necessity to support their families. This can lead to them carrying the weight of work when they should be focusing on their education and personal development. Your Thoughts? What do you think? Is this surge in teen employment a positive shift, or are we placing too much pressure on our youth? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 👇 🔗 Read more on Axios- https://lnkd.in/gWmFxtNz

Women shouldn’t be locked-out of a job because they can’t afford the cost of job-seeking. That’s why we’re announcing a $20 million financial assistance package to support women returning to the workforce. If a woman has left her employment for longer than six months to focus on family care, then we should do everything we can to support her when she chooses the time is right to find a new job. Our grants of up to $5,000 will help cover the costs of essentials like👇 👖Workwear 🧒 Childcare 👩🏫 Re-certification and training ✍️ CV prep 💻 Technology 🛻 Relocation It’s just one part of our Women’s Economic Security Plan.

𝐈𝐬 𝐚 𝟒-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧? In a recent feature on Fox Business Network, I delve into the shifting dynamics of teenage employment in today's swiftly changing economy. Uncover the factors contributing to the increase in part-time work for teens and how economic influences are shaping this trend. Check out the full article here: https://fxn.ws/4brpFuB #FoxBusiness #Workplace #Employment

📢 Good news for teenagers in the US! 🎉🙌 According to the Labor Department, teen employment is on the rise, reaching its highest level since 2009! 📈💼 It's amazing to see that 37% of 16- to 19-year-olds are now working or actively searching for jobs. This positive trend marks a significant reversal after four decades of decline, as reported by the Washington Post. One of the reasons behind this encouraging shift is the tight labor market, which means high-schoolers now have a better chance of finding jobs that actually pay well. 💵💪 In fact, workers aged 16–24 experienced an impressive 9.8% pay increase last year, nearly twice the average wage growth for working people overall, according to the Atlanta Fed. This newfound employment growth among teens not only provides them with valuable experience and extra income but also boosts their confidence and independence. It's great to see young individuals taking advantage of these opportunities and setting a strong foundation for their future careers. 💪🌟 Let's celebrate this positive trend and encourage more teenagers to explore the world of work! 🎉 #TeenEmployment #NewOpportunities #YouthPower #CareerGrowth