Latest news with #Besen-Cassino
Miami Herald
24-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Teenagers' Summer Jobs Under Threat
Each summer, millions of teens shift from the classroom to the checkout counter. But with widespread economic uncertainty, increasingly essential extracurricular commitments and the rise of automation, the opportunities for America's youth to gain experience-and earn a little cash along the way-may be quietly vanishing. A report last week from Challenger, Gray & Christmas (CGC) revealed the extent of these threats. The outplacement firm estimates that teens will gain around one million jobs across May, June and July this year, a stark drop from its forecast of 1.3 million last year and a slight decline from the 1.1 million that were eventually added. If their prediction is correct, this would mark the lowest number added since 2010 (960,000). "Many teens need these jobs and employment opportunities to stay in school, help with school expenses and help their families," said sociologist and labor market expert Yasemin Besen-Cassino. "Limited opportunities could mean more hardship for teens from lower-socio-economic status backgrounds." Senior Vice President of CGC Andrew Challenger summarized the threats: "This summer, we may not see the opportunities manifest. With the current socio-political climate, we may see fewer tourists; with the expected impact of tariffs, we may see higher prices and lower consumer demand. Those who traditionally hire in the summer may hold off this year." Besen-Cassino told Newsweek about these broad-based economic concerns: "It's not surprising to see fewer businesses hiring teens in the upcoming summer." "This is just the demand size of the equation," she said. "With economic uncertainly, challenging job prospects, and mass layoffs, many teens are apprehensive about their future job prospects." These impacts have already begun to drip into the data. Some 5.5 million workers aged 16 to 19 were employed in April, the lowest total for the month in three years, according to CGC, citing the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, the April unemployment rate for teens is at its highest since 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eric Edmonds, Economics Chair at Dartmouth College, believes the core issue is a "mismatch" between the types of jobs employers are offering and the wages at which these are offered, and those that "align with the preferences of teen workers." "Thus, there is a shortage of attractive teen jobs at wages they find acceptable and simultaneously a shortage of workers at wages employers prefer to pay," he told Newsweek. Besen-Cassino said similarly that, while "many teenagers are seeking employment, but they are reluctant to seek the typical teen jobs in the retail and service sector." Both highlighted the alternatives on offer for teens, which have grown in appeal as longer-term anxieties about post-school or college career prospects heighten. These include classes, internships and other credentialing opportunities that will give them a stronger edge when they seek to enter the job market. "A few decades ago, they might feel summer jobs prepared them for their future jobs," Besen-Cassino told Newsweek. "But many teens are using summer time to better prepare themselves for future jobs by applying for internships or applying for jobs that help them develop marketable skills." Youth unemployment has remained relatively stable since descending from its COVID-era highs, currently at 9.6 percent per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, up from 9.3 percent last May. However, beyond competing interests and a resultant reduction to spend summer working retail or hospitality, a larger threat to teen employment, across all seasons, looms on the horizon: Automation. "It's not just the economic uncertainty that may make teen jobs unavailable," Andrew Challenger said. "Employers are using new technologies and automation for things the teen worker would have otherwise done." Edmonds told Newsweek that a "substantial increase in motivated teen workers" would reduce the move toward automation, which he said was incentivized by "chronic labor shortages" in low-wage jobs such as agriculture and the service industry. "Teen employment in the United States enjoyed its heyday in the 1980s and 1990s with teens staffing many retail and service sector jobs," Besen-Cassino told Newsweek. "However, in the past few decades we have witnessed the decline of the malls. Malls going away, the rise of automation and AI in many retail and service sector result in fewer need for these jobs." She added that these trends are fueling anxiety not only among teenagers but also among their parents, whose own jobs may be similarly at risk. Related Articles U.S. Adds 177,000 Jobs in April in Big Boost for TrumpMillennial Laid Off From Corporate Job-6 Months Later the Unexpected HappensChina's Economy Faces Rise of 'Rat People'Millennial Applies to Over 80 Jobs-Then One Finally Breaks Her: 'I'm Done' 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Economic Times
24-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Are summer jobs for US teens becoming extinct? Know the truth behind declining opportunities
Live Events 'Demand size of the equation' (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Every summer, millions of teenagers trade their schoolbooks for summer jobs. But economic uncertainty, growing extracurricular demands, and the advance of automation are making it harder for young Americans to find work and earn extra income, reports NewsWeek.A recent report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas (CGC) highlights the growing challenge. The company projects that teens will secure about one million jobs during May, June, and July—down from last year's forecast of 1.3 million and slightly below the 1.1 million jobs ultimately filled. If accurate, this would be the lowest summer job gain since 2010, when only 960,000 positions were added."Many teens need these jobs and employment opportunities to stay in school, help with school expenses and help their families," said sociologist and labor market expert Yasemin Besen-Cassino. "Limited opportunities could mean more hardship for teens from lower-socio-economic status backgrounds."Senior Vice President of CGC Andrew Challenger summarized the threats: "This summer, we may not see the opportunities manifest. With the current socio-political climate, we may see fewer tourists; with the expected impact of tariffs, we may see higher prices and lower consumer demand. Those who traditionally hire in the summer may hold off this year."Besen-Cassino shared with Newsweek her concerns about the broader economic landscape: 'It's not surprising that fewer businesses are planning to hire teens this summer.''This reflects only one side of the equation,' she added. 'Given the economic uncertainty, tough job market, and widespread layoffs, many teenagers are increasingly anxious about their future employment prospects.'These effects are already showing up in labor statistics. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics cited by CGC, just 5.5 million teens aged 16 to 19 were employed in April—marking the lowest total for that month in three years. The teen unemployment rate also rose to its highest level since 2020, during the early months of the COVID-19 Edmonds, Chair of the Economics Department at Dartmouth College, pointed to a growing 'mismatch' in the labor market. He and Besen-Cassino noted that many teens are opting for alternative summer pursuits—such as classes, internships, and credentialing programs—that they believe will better prepare them for long-term career success.'A few decades ago, teens might have seen summer jobs as a stepping stone to future employment,' said Besen-Cassino. 'Now, many are turning to internships or skill-building roles that enhance their resumes and improve their marketability.'While youth unemployment has dropped significantly since the pandemic's peak, it remains elevated—currently at 9.6 percent, up from 9.3 percent a year ago, according to the Bureau of Labor beyond competing interests and a declining desire to work traditional summer jobs in retail or hospitality, a larger structural threat looms: automation.'It's not just economic uncertainty reducing the availability of teen jobs,' said Andrew Challenger. 'Employers are increasingly turning to technology and automation to perform tasks that teens used to do.' Edmonds added that a sharp increase in motivated teen workers could potentially slow the push toward automation, which is largely driven by chronic labor shortages in low-wage industries such as agriculture and services.'Teen employment in the US peaked in the 1980s and '90s, when many teens held jobs in retail and the service sector,' Besen-Cassino told Newsweek. 'But with the decline of shopping malls and the rise of automation and AI, the demand for these jobs has dropped significantly.'These shifts are contributing to rising concerns not only among teenagers but also among their parents, who may face similar job risks.'There's a gap between the wages teens expect and what employers are willing to offer,' Edmonds explained. 'So while many teens are actively looking for work, they're often hesitant to pursue traditional roles in retail or food service.'
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Are summer jobs for US teens becoming extinct? Know the truth behind declining opportunities
Every summer, millions of teenagers trade their schoolbooks for summer jobs. But economic uncertainty, growing extracurricular demands, and the advance of automation are making it harder for young Americans to find work and earn extra income, reports NewsWeek. A recent report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas (CGC) highlights the growing challenge. The company projects that teens will secure about one million jobs during May, June, and July—down from last year's forecast of 1.3 million and slightly below the 1.1 million jobs ultimately filled. If accurate, this would be the lowest summer job gain since 2010, when only 960,000 positions were added. "Many teens need these jobs and employment opportunities to stay in school, help with school expenses and help their families," said sociologist and labor market expert Yasemin Besen-Cassino. "Limited opportunities could mean more hardship for teens from lower-socio-economic status backgrounds." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Undo Senior Vice President of CGC Andrew Challenger summarized the threats: "This summer, we may not see the opportunities manifest. With the current socio-political climate, we may see fewer tourists; with the expected impact of tariffs, we may see higher prices and lower consumer demand. Those who traditionally hire in the summer may hold off this year." ALSO READ: 'They can't add 2+2': Trump's controversial claims on Harvard students regarding remedial math Live Events 'Demand size of the equation' Besen-Cassino shared with Newsweek her concerns about the broader economic landscape: 'It's not surprising that fewer businesses are planning to hire teens this summer.' 'This reflects only one side of the equation,' she added. 'Given the economic uncertainty, tough job market, and widespread layoffs, many teenagers are increasingly anxious about their future employment prospects.' These effects are already showing up in labor statistics. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics cited by CGC, just 5.5 million teens aged 16 to 19 were employed in April—marking the lowest total for that month in three years. The teen unemployment rate also rose to its highest level since 2020, during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. ALSO READ: Trump faces awkward moment as his Apple rant gets disturbed by repeated calls on own iPhone. Watch video Eric Edmonds, Chair of the Economics Department at Dartmouth College, pointed to a growing 'mismatch' in the labor market. He and Besen-Cassino noted that many teens are opting for alternative summer pursuits—such as classes, internships, and credentialing programs—that they believe will better prepare them for long-term career success. 'A few decades ago, teens might have seen summer jobs as a stepping stone to future employment,' said Besen-Cassino. 'Now, many are turning to internships or skill-building roles that enhance their resumes and improve their marketability.' While youth unemployment has dropped significantly since the pandemic's peak, it remains elevated—currently at 9.6 percent, up from 9.3 percent a year ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But beyond competing interests and a declining desire to work traditional summer jobs in retail or hospitality, a larger structural threat looms: automation. ALSO READ: Tom Cruise net worth: How much money does the 'Mission: Impossible' star currently have? 'It's not just economic uncertainty reducing the availability of teen jobs,' said Andrew Challenger. 'Employers are increasingly turning to technology and automation to perform tasks that teens used to do.' Edmonds added that a sharp increase in motivated teen workers could potentially slow the push toward automation, which is largely driven by chronic labor shortages in low-wage industries such as agriculture and services. 'Teen employment in the US peaked in the 1980s and '90s, when many teens held jobs in retail and the service sector,' Besen-Cassino told Newsweek. 'But with the decline of shopping malls and the rise of automation and AI, the demand for these jobs has dropped significantly.' These shifts are contributing to rising concerns not only among teenagers but also among their parents, who may face similar job risks. 'There's a gap between the wages teens expect and what employers are willing to offer,' Edmonds explained. 'So while many teens are actively looking for work, they're often hesitant to pursue traditional roles in retail or food service.'
Newsweek
24-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Teenagers' Summer Jobs Under Threat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Each summer, millions of teens shift from the classroom to the checkout counter. But with widespread economic uncertainty, increasingly essential extracurricular commitments and the rise of automation, the opportunities for America's youth to gain experience—and earn a little cash along the way—may be quietly vanishing. A report last week from Challenger, Gray & Christmas (CGC) revealed the extent of these threats. The outplacement firm estimates that teens will gain around one million jobs across May, June and July this year, a stark drop from its forecast of 1.3 million last year and a slight decline from the 1.1 million that were eventually added. If their prediction is correct, this would mark the lowest number added since 2010 (960,000). "Many teens need these jobs and employment opportunities to stay in school, help with school expenses and help their families," said sociologist and labor market expert Yasemin Besen-Cassino. "Limited opportunities could mean more hardship for teens from lower-socio-economic status backgrounds." Senior Vice President of CGC Andrew Challenger summarized the threats: "This summer, we may not see the opportunities manifest. With the current socio-political climate, we may see fewer tourists; with the expected impact of tariffs, we may see higher prices and lower consumer demand. Those who traditionally hire in the summer may hold off this year." Besen-Cassino told Newsweek about these broad-based economic concerns: "It's not surprising to see fewer businesses hiring teens in the upcoming summer." "This is just the demand size of the equation," she said. "With economic uncertainly, challenging job prospects, and mass layoffs, many teens are apprehensive about their future job prospects." These impacts have already begun to drip into the data. Some 5.5 million workers aged 16 to 19 were employed in April, the lowest total for the month in three years, according to CGC, citing the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, the April unemployment rate for teens is at its highest since 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. A "help wanted" sign is seen at an office in Elgin, Illinois, on March 19, 2022. A "help wanted" sign is seen at an office in Elgin, Illinois, on March 19, 2022. Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo Eric Edmonds, Economics Chair at Dartmouth College, believes the core issue is a "mismatch" between the types of jobs employers are offering and the wages at which these are offered, and those that "align with the preferences of teen workers." "Thus, there is a shortage of attractive teen jobs at wages they find acceptable and simultaneously a shortage of workers at wages employers prefer to pay," he told Newsweek. Besen-Cassino said similarly that, while "many teenagers are seeking employment, but they are reluctant to seek the typical teen jobs in the retail and service sector." Both highlighted the alternatives on offer for teens, which have grown in appeal as longer-term anxieties about post-school or college career prospects heighten. These include classes, internships and other credentialing opportunities that will give them a stronger edge when they seek to enter the job market. "A few decades ago, they might feel summer jobs prepared them for their future jobs," Besen-Cassino told Newsweek. "But many teens are using summer time to better prepare themselves for future jobs by applying for internships or applying for jobs that help them develop marketable skills." Youth unemployment has remained relatively stable since descending from its COVID-era highs, currently at 9.6 percent per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, up from 9.3 percent last May. However, beyond competing interests and a resultant reduction to spend summer working retail or hospitality, a larger threat to teen employment, across all seasons, looms on the horizon: Automation. "It's not just the economic uncertainty that may make teen jobs unavailable," Andrew Challenger said. "Employers are using new technologies and automation for things the teen worker would have otherwise done." Edmonds told Newsweek that a "substantial increase in motivated teen workers" would reduce the move toward automation, which he said was incentivized by "chronic labor shortages" in low-wage jobs such as agriculture and the service industry. "Teen employment in the United States enjoyed its heyday in the 1980s and 1990s with teens staffing many retail and service sector jobs," Besen-Cassino told Newsweek. "However, in the past few decades we have witnessed the decline of the malls. Malls going away, the rise of automation and AI in many retail and service sector result in fewer need for these jobs." She added that these trends are fueling anxiety not only among teenagers but also among their parents, whose own jobs may be similarly at risk.
