CSBJ Daily

The results of Junior Achievement USA’s 2008 Teens and Summer Jobs poll are in – and they’re not promising for young job seekers.

Retail and restaurant jobs that are usually held by teens are being taken by older adults who have lost other jobs.

Only 88.6 percent of teenagers polled said they expected to work this summer, a 15 percent increase from the same poll conducted a year ago.

Traditionally, the top two job choices for teens are positions in retail/sales and restaurant/fast food establishments. The 2008 Teens and Summer Jobs poll confirmed that’s still the case. Unfortunately, both sectors are being battered by the economic downturn, said Jack Kosakowski, president of Junior Achievement USA which is based in Colorado Springs.

Retail/sales was the top choice for 21.2 percent of teens who indicated a specific job preference and who planned for summer employment. Another 18.7 percent will seek jobs in restaurant/fast food.