More competition and fewer openings means the summer job market for teens will be tough.
Data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development shows the current teen unemployment situation could be tricky. Numbers are much different from just a couple years ago, according to Angelina Nguyen, DEED’s Labor Market Information Director.
"In 2022-2023, the labor market was desperate for workers and it was easier for teens to look for jobs," Nguyen says. "Then as things have stabilized, we are now seeing the unemployment rate going back up."
That's because there are more workers than jobs available, but that doesn't mean the market has totally dried up.
"Target in on industries that hire teens," says Nguyen. "For example, retail, restaurants and food service, or recreation, amusement parks and even construction and landscaping."
Still, data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development shows the current teen unemployment rate over 13%.
Nguyen advises teens to not give up.
"Job searching is a journey and I would advise, be patient, be persistent," Nguyen explains. "You will find something sooner or later, the more you apply to the wider net you cast, the more likely you are to get something."
