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Teenagers are diving into job market

The job hunt has begun. Tried-and-true positions like camp counselor and lifeguard are joined by some less traditional gigs.

By TRACIE REDDICK
Published April 19, 2006

William Hume wants to make a big splash this summer.

So the 18-year-old student at Pinellas Technical Education Center in St. Petersburg is seeking a job that will pay him to have fun.

"I love the water," Hume said. "My ideal summer job is to work as a pool attendant at TradeWinds (Island Resorts in St. Pete Beach)."

Hume is among thousands of teens nationwide who are gearing up for an annual quest, scanning the classifieds for summer employment. Clearwater, Largo and St. Petersburg are among Pinellas County cities and other agencies that offer jobs and training programs to keep teens like him busy this summer.

But some say it's not enough. Although a stronger economy suggests a positive outlook for summer employment, many companies consider today's teens ill prepared to fill the jobs. They turn to retired seniors to fill positions traditionally held by teens.

"While it may be cheaper to hire a teen, many companies prefer to hire older workers because they have a stronger work ethic," said Deborah Figgs-Sanders, the summer youth coordinator for Boley Behavioral Centers, which offers jobs as summer camp leaders to St. Petersburg youths.

"I get up to 1,000 applications each year," Figgs-Sanders said. "But I only have slots for about 150 teens."

The 4-year-old Boley program accepted applications from teens and young adults, 14 to 23. The vast majority of applicants are typically 14 and 15, an age group that many cities and agencies overlook, Figgs-Sanders said recently. (The deadline for applications has ended.)

"The 14- and 15-year-olds are the ones that need the most help but are oftentimes the most difficult to place. They are too old to attend summer camp and too young to work at some of the jobs offering summer employment because of child labor laws," Figgs-Sanders said. "That is why it is really important for the business community to reach out to our younger youth. They are more apt to get into trouble if they don't have anything productive to do with their free time."

Another effort to employ and prepare teens, WorkNet Pinellas, is working with PTEC, St. Petersburg College and Junior Achievement to organize Job-a-thon 2006. The program rallies local employers through a telephone campaign to pledge jobs to people 17 to 21. Before starting jobs, the young people will go through workshops to prepare them for the work force. Participants will be recruited from PTEC, SPC and local high schools.

Teens like Hume learn the skills they will need on the job.

"Junior Achievement helps our students to think about job readiness in a more real way," said James Natelle, who is in charge of the students taking Job-a-thon workshops at PTEC's south Pinellas campus.

Preparing youngsters for future careers is critical, said Figgs-Sanders, who explained that a lack of training plays a huge role in 14- and 15-year-olds not getting jobs.

"Their biggest problem is their mouths," she said. "They want to socialize and work at that same time and are not mature enough to separate the two."

At least one opportunity has a specific focus.

The University of South Florida is offering paid summer internships to high school students on both sides of Tampa Bay who want to research how local communities are investing in their future. The internships begin June 5.

Municipal governments are training and employing teens. Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park and Seminole are accepting applications from teens for lifeguard and camp counselor positions at recreation centers.

Clearwater offers a summer camp counselor training program to teens. At least 35 participate each year, said Sandy Clayton, the city's recreation coordinator. At age 18, former camp trainees are eligible to become paid camp counselors at one of the city's six recreation programs.

"They know they can at least get into the system this way," Clayton said. "We have a lot of junior counselors who go on to become counselors."

Largo employs about 20 teens a year through its aquatic programs, said Mary Nolen, assistant director of Largo's recreation department. Teens must be 15 or older and have their lifeguard certification to obtain a paid job.

But those age 11 to 14 years of age can still get experience through the city's volunteer lifeguard training program, which gives the city a sustainable pool of teen applicants for aquatic jobs. "These are jobs that teens can come into summer after summer from high school to college," Nolen said.

Some teens want summer jobs to earn cash for cars, clothes and CDs. Others want to learn job skills they can parlay into rewarding careers.

Through Job-a-thon, WorkNet is reaching out to the latter category and hopes businesses will respond.

"We're hoping local companies will step forward and pledge a summer job to deserving youth," said Garry Burlingame, WorkNet's business services director. "It's an excellent way to let local high school students and graduates know of the many great companies with outstanding employment opportunities right here in Pinellas County."

Times staff writer Nicole Johnson contributed to this story.

[Last modified April 19, 2006, 01:58:13]