Poor economy puts strain on unemployed teenagers

Due to the poor economy, many adults, including college graduates, are being forced to take minimum wage jobs that have usually been given to teens. Because of this, many teens are finding the job hunt to be more challenging than ever.

History teacher Robert Schmidt said that he believes that adults are taking teen jobs but it is not nearly as noticeable in the Midwest as it is in other parts of the country.

“If you look at history, we have had these kinds of downturns before,” Schmidt said.  He mentioned that in these times the United States has had to make vast adjustments to make the economy better and create more jobs. Schmidt also said he feels that the Obama administration should have looked at creating more jobs long before taking on the health care reform.

Many students are feeling the stress of trying to find jobs. Senior Alexandria Clark, who works at McDonalds on First Street, was fortunate enough to have connections with close family members who worked there previously, which enabled her to get the job. She has been noticing that there are more and more adults in place of teens in the work place.

“In fast food restaurants, more adults are getting jobs where students normally do,” Clark said.

Junior Brooke Craig, who had a life guarding position this summer, said she feels the same way as Clark. “The economy is so low on jobs; they are desperate.”

Juniors Richelle Kime and Oguguo Asota have not been as fortunate as Clark.

“I’ve been applying everywhere, but I can’t find one because of all the UNI students,” Kime said. Kime has had jobs in the past, but she said it always takes a long time for anyone to call back, especially when the UNI school year starts.

Asota is in the same situation as Kime this year. “I’ve put in like four applications, but it is hard because no one is hiring.”