In collaboration with Mr. Aaron Parker & Queen Mugeni
Recent estimations by the outplacement firm Challenger, Grey & Christmas predict the summer of 2026 to be the worst outlook for teen summer jobs since 1948, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics began recording the data. Often, we see numbers like these and don’t really comprehend the on-the-ground effects this has not only on teens, but on the communities they live in as well. I bring back Aikin New Tech High School junior Queen Mugeni, alongside her teacher, Mr. Aaron Parker, to share their perspective as career tech teachers and students amid funding cuts and limited job opportunities.
A Teacher’s Perspective:
Employability-skills and work-readiness involving professionalism, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, financial literacy, and leadership among our youth is desired by our elected officials, business leaders, and our community at large. This year (and summer in particular), opportunities for youth employment where these skills can be taught, nurtured, and refined are in low supply. A resurgence in Career and Technical Education (CTE) within our schools has come from the demand for a highly skilled, highly motivated workforce that includes youth. Work-based learning and apprenticeship programs are designed to light the fires of interest, develop the soft and hard skills, and create the resumes for our youth for future employment. As a CTE teacher at Aiken High School, we depend upon youth employment opportunities for technical-skill attainment in a real-world setting with a goal of attaining Industry Recognized Credentials (IRC). In past years, our Aiken High School campus would have been buzzing with as many as 40 students performing paid service-learning. Some students would be working to prepare the school for the coming school year, while other students would be working on our Aiken Farm to provide food security for our community. Due to budget cuts to government, for-profit, and non-profit youth employment programs, the number of students performing work-based learning at our school has been reduced to 4. Preparedness for the school year and food sovereignty have slowed, and the impact of reduced youth employment is the diminished connections and ownership to the community in which our students live. Furthermore, these same students are deprived of the desired skill-development and career-readiness opportunities for college, career, and civic life success.
A Student’s Perspective:
Youth employment is at an all-time low since 1948; this has not only affected me but friends and family members. Being able to find a good and well-paying job as a teen should not be this difficult. The stereotype that teens don’t want to work or get jobs is completely inaccurate. I have applied to so many companies; I have perfect grades, I do community service, and regardless of what I do or how much effort I put in…I get offered the jobs that nobody wants. I have had friends get fired because adults need jobs more.
Budget cuts have also affected my possible employment programs. The system of youth employment is difficult to engage in regard to the application process, transportation, and proper/safe working conditions. Many youth employment organizations are doing as much as possible with their budget cuts, but that has created inconsistency and uncertainty as I have sought employment. It turned out to be an unpleasant experience. I got bitten and stung by various bugs, which gave me severe scarring. What I have learned is that the only way to get jobs nowadays is through connections. Not many people are informed about programs or know someone who is willing to help; I am fortunate enough to be told of these programs. Recent studies show that youth from 16-24 have a 9.3% rate of unemployment, which is double the national unemployment rate. Two of these reasons are the increase in artificial intelligence in entry-level jobs, making it difficult for people to gain experience because there’s a bot doing the work, and work policies. So next time you see a young person working in your community, know that we are doing our best with what we are offered.
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