Illinois Governor Says Go After Those Summer Jobs Now

In Illinois, the state is trying to help teens line up jobs this summer in the wake of a recent report that predicts the worst summer season for job-hunting teens in decades.

Dark Prediction

An Illinois Summer Job Central website has been set up to help high school and college students who will be looking for hard-to-find summer jobs.

A recent report from Boston Northeastern University predicted a bleak summer job outlook for teens and young adults.

The Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University, in its 2008 Teen Job Outlook, predict a shortage of summer jobs. The Outlook cited the slowing national economy, falling retail sales, increasing gas expense, and older workers seeking jobs traditionally held by teens.

In summer 2007, the teen employment rate was 34.8 percent, the lowest summer season employment rate for teens since 1945.

This summer is expected to be worse, according to the Center.

Their advice is to go online and send your resumes out early.

State Response

"Start now, if you haven't begun looking already," said Governor Rod Blagojevich. "Summer employment is a way for high school and college students to explore different work settings and help them decide on their future careers."

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is doing its part on its Illinois Career resource Network website at ILWorkInfo.com/icrn.

Summer Central Webpage

By clicking on "2008 Summer Central," job-hunting teens can find job search tips and use links to additional information sites which provide job-hunting help. There you'll find a PDF file (478 KB) which provides a variety of links to places where you might be able to line up a job, including summer, seasonal, and part-time job links, state internships, and even information on summer camps and international jobs that are hiring. There are also links with job-hunting advice, including how to start your own business and 10 Industries That Employ Teens. There is even a parents guide to summer jobs as well as help with writing a resume.

The site advises teens to apply as soon as possible because summer jobs go fast.

"Summer Job Central will open doors for teens and young adults across the state as it exposes them to valuable experiences and contacts to prepare for their future," said IDES Director James P. Sledge. "We are making a commitment to the vitality of our future workforce by providing our youth with the tools and techniques to find employment today."

Press Release, Illinois Government News Network illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=3&RecNum=6746

Illinois Career Resource Network ILWorkInfo.com/icrn.