Applications in hand, Samuel Flores, 16, sits on a park bench contemplating how to get a job this summer. While heâÂÂs applied to many stores such as Gamestop, Fine Fare, and Conway, he hasnâÂÂt heard back from any.
âÂÂIâÂÂve been trying, but every kid wants a job and nobodyâÂÂs f****ng hiring.â he said.
ItâÂÂs a struggle for Flores and many teenagers in New York City.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 32.6 percent of teenagers 16 to 19 were employed in 2008.
There is a program, however that helps employ youth ages 14 to 24. The city’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) helps place youth into entry level jobs. People who apply to the program get their names placed into a lottery in the hopes they will be chosen.
Aldo Baricevic, 17, was accepted into SYEP this summer and currently works at the clothing store Strawberry in Union Square. For him, it was easy to obtain a job, as he had help. His close friend, however, has been trying since last year to get a job, and was not accepted into the SYEP.
Baricevic says that he sees people coming in daily to ask for applications, but the only way to get hired at Strawberry is through the SYEP.
Jessica Ripekin, 18, also works in the clothing industry, but she got her job a different way. She said her mother worked in the industry and had friends that offered her a position.
âÂÂI had a connection for the job,â she said.
Andy Kessler, 15, from Queens, says he does not want to spend his summer working. He would rather have a leisurely time filled with video games and hanging out with friends.
âÂÂSummer is only like two months. IâÂÂm not gonna waste it sitting at a job. ThatâÂÂs mad boring,â he said.
For some teenagers, not working is not an option.
Nina Hawkins, 18, from SoHo, has been trying to get a job since the beginning of summer without help. Hawkins is worried, as she is going to college this fall. Her parents threatened to stop supporting her financially if she does gain employment.
âÂÂIâÂÂm scared.â she said. âÂÂI really want to get a job and it’s so difficult. All my friends whoâÂÂve gotten jobs have had help from a cousin or parent or friend. I just donâÂÂt have that.âÂÂ
âÂÂIâÂÂve been trying, but every kid wants a job and nobodyâÂÂs f****ng hiring.â he said.
ItâÂÂs a struggle for Flores and many teenagers in New York City.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 32.6 percent of teenagers 16 to 19 were employed in 2008.
There is a program, however that helps employ youth ages 14 to 24. The city’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) helps place youth into entry level jobs. People who apply to the program get their names placed into a lottery in the hopes they will be chosen.
In 2011 there were over 200,000 applications submitted, yet only 30,628 applicants were accepted.
Aldo Baricevic, 17, was accepted into SYEP this summer and currently works at the clothing store Strawberry in Union Square. For him, it was easy to obtain a job, as he had help. His close friend, however, has been trying since last year to get a job, and was not accepted into the SYEP.
Baricevic says that he sees people coming in daily to ask for applications, but the only way to get hired at Strawberry is through the SYEP.
Jessica Ripekin, 18, also works in the clothing industry, but she got her job a different way. She said her mother worked in the industry and had friends that offered her a position.
âÂÂI had a connection for the job,â she said.
Andy Kessler, 15, from Queens, says he does not want to spend his summer working. He would rather have a leisurely time filled with video games and hanging out with friends.
âÂÂSummer is only like two months. IâÂÂm not gonna waste it sitting at a job. ThatâÂÂs mad boring,â he said.
For some teenagers, not working is not an option.
Nina Hawkins, 18, from SoHo, has been trying to get a job since the beginning of summer without help. Hawkins is worried, as she is going to college this fall. Her parents threatened to stop supporting her financially if she does gain employment.
âÂÂIâÂÂm scared.â she said. âÂÂI really want to get a job and it’s so difficult. All my friends whoâÂÂve gotten jobs have had help from a cousin or parent or friend. I just donâÂÂt have that.âÂÂ