Teen summer jobs are at an 80-year low. Employers are hiring fewer young people, citing an experience gap and rising minimum wages that make inexperienced youth less attractive. This decline deprives teens of vital skill development, work experience, and motivation, fostering pessimism among Gen Z. The article emphasizes that summer jobs are crucial for early workforce development. It urges states and cities to implement policies like minimum wage exemptions, hiring incentives, and liability reforms to reverse this "cruel summer" trend and provide teens essential work opportunities.
Ryan Craig is a Managing Director at Achieve Partners and a former Senior Contributor. He focuses on education, particularly the evolving landscape of higher education and innovative learning solutions, while also exploring themes of diversity, mental health, and social interest. Ryan's insights and writings have been featured in prominent outlets such as The Hill, Forbes, and Yahoo News.














