Teen Employment in California

Youth employment is an issue that has become well known in California, as the percentage of teens with jobs has increased over the years. The youth labor force grew by 2.8 million, or 13.4 percent, to a total of 23.5 million in July 2013. There are various types of jobs that are open to teens today, such as; fast food, retail, baby-sitting, groceries stores, etc. Jobs have allowed students to find a way to make money, giving them a key to independence. A lot of students are still unemployed now, but many are currently looking for jobs.

Youth employment has helped our society a lot; it helps teens have something to do and take part in, gives them an income of their own, and gives them the ability to connect with their fellow employees. Studies have shown that students who work 10 to 15 hours a week during the school year earn higher grades than students who don’t work at all. Working and going to school may be somewhat tiring, but businesses usually give students work schedules that are flexible with their school schedules.

When I surveyed students with jobs around Mission Bay, about 1 in 4 students were employed, and that is a good amount of students with jobs. When 12th grade student Marcus Mayfield, an employee at Kentucky Fried Chicken, was asked about his time being employed and the experience, he said, “I enjoy working. The people are nice and helpful, and I work to make money for myself to do things I like and buy things I want.” 9th grade student, Takelah Johnson was also interviewed. She is currently unemployed but Takelah says, “I don’t have a job right now, but I am filling out numerous applications, because I really want to work.”