By Lina Irawan 
Scooping ice cream, lifeguarding swimming pools, and restocking retail stores during the summer has long been teenagers’ rite of passage. For most, it’s the first time they build real-world skills, navigate professional environments, and earn their own pocket change, laying foundational stones for future careers and financial independence. This cherished tradition, however, is now under unprecedented threat. Teenagers across North America and the UK are confronting the most challenging summer job market since the Great Recession, making the simple act of landing a minimum-wage position feel almost as daunting as securing a full-time corporate role. The dream of a summer job, once an almost guaranteed stepping stone, has become an elusive prize, leaving many young people feeling discouraged and questioning their value in the workforce.
“I didn’t know it was going to be this hard. I thought it was going to be quite easy. And with all the applications I sent through, I feel a bit discouraged,” laments Simon Chow, a 17-year-old from Montreal, Canada, who spent months applying to dozens of summer gigs, speaking to Fortune. His sentiment echoes across a generation of hopeful but increasingly frustrated young job seekers. “I’m looking everywhere, and I’ll take anything at this point.”
The grim reality is backed by stark statistics. Around 790,000 jobs in May, June, and July of this year opened up for teenagers—a noticeable decline from approximately 801,000 gigs offered in 2025. This downturn, according to a recent report from the outplacement and business and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, paints a concerning picture. If the study’s prediction holds, this summer period would mark the lowest teen hiring since 1948, the year the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) began meticulously tracking this data. To put this into historical perspective, the only other time this figure plummeted to such a worrying low was in 2010, when the U.S. was still grappling with the severe economic aftermath of the Great Recession, recording 960,000 teen hires. The current projection of 790,000 is not just lower than 2010, but significantly so, indicating a deeper, potentially more entrenched problem in the youth labor market.
This alarming trend is not isolated to the United States. Teenagers in Canada and the United Kingdom are experiencing similar struggles, indicating a broader, perhaps global, economic shift affecting youth employment. The traditional avenues for summer work—retail, food service, hospitality—are either tightening their belts, seeking more experienced candidates, or becoming more competitive than ever before. This forces young applicants to become remarkably resourceful, employing strategies ranging from playing the "numbers game" by submitting dozens of online applications, often only to be met with disheartening silence, to adopting old-fashioned tactics like walking into storefronts with resumes in hand, armed with memorized elevator pitches. After months of relentless searching, a few tough realities have become abundantly clear: securing a seasonal job in this market often requires a combination of personal connections, prior experience, and the sheer grit to consistently put oneself out there.
Teens Are Applying to Dozens of Jobs and Getting Ghosted
The next generation of workers, often digitally native and adept at online applications, are trying every method in the book, yet many are still coming up short. The impersonal nature of online job boards, while efficient for employers, often means that applications from young, inexperienced candidates get lost in a deluge of submissions or filtered out by automated systems.
Simon Chow’s journey perfectly illustrates this modern-day struggle. Since graduating high school in June, the aspiring veterinary medicine student had made it his mission to gain some work experience and earn money before attending Vanier College in the fall. He meticulously applied to over 50 different seasonal jobs, spanning various sectors. The results were universally discouraging: ghosting, automated rejections, or outright silence. Local restaurants and cafes, once reliable sources of entry-level work, had no openings. Emails to potential employers vanished into the digital void. Even applications to volunteer gigs, where the incentive isn’t financial but experiential, failed to garner any response. Chow broadened his search to community centers, food kitchens, thrift stores, and even local strawberry farms, yet he struggled to capture anyone’s attention.
"The competition did get more competitive. Companies are looking for more experienced people," Chow notes, pinpointing a critical shift in employer expectations. He observes that some of his friends have found jobs, but often attributes their success to "better connections," highlighting the growing importance of networking and personal referrals in a saturated market. This observation underscores a systemic challenge: if entry-level jobs require experience, and connections are needed to secure those jobs, how do young people without either break into the workforce?
Despite the numerous setbacks, Chow’s persistence eventually paid off. This week, after months of relentless effort, he finally secured a summer job as a busboy. His job training officially begins next week, and by the end of August, he will head off to college with a newfound sense of accomplishment and a deeper understanding of the challenges of the modern job market.
Samantha Rosaforte, a 19-year-old rising senior at Clemson University, shares a similar narrative of struggle and eventual triumph. Last fall, she began her hunt for marketing or communications internships in New York City, diligently scouring postings on LinkedIn and Indeed. She estimates she applied to a staggering 80 summer positions. The vast majority of these applications were met with ghosting, and only a select few even bothered to send a rejection notice. By mid-April, as the window for seasonal work rapidly closed, Rosaforte admitted she had "lost all hope completely."
“I started feeling like I’m not good enough for any company, because I can’t even get past the resume stage,” Rosaforte confessed to Fortune. “I felt so helpless, like I have nothing. I don’t know what else to do.” This sentiment of self-doubt and helplessness is a common byproduct of repeated rejections and silences in the job market, especially for young people building their confidence.
Then, a glimmer of hope emerged: an email from a HelloFresh recruiter, responding to her application for a social media internship. After three rigorous rounds of interviews, Rosaforte finally landed the summer job. She is now in her final week of the 10-week gig, preparing to return to Clemson for her senior year. Reflecting on the brutal job hunt, she plans to adjust her strategy, intending to apply for entry-level positions even earlier while completing her bachelor’s degree, a testament to the heightened competition she experienced. Her story highlights that even for more specialized internships, the path to securing a position is fraught with difficulty.
Across the Atlantic, Estelle Keeber, a digital marketing entrepreneur in the U.K., recounts the difficulties her two sons have faced. Her eldest, 17-year-old Jed, has spent months searching for manual labor jobs, including in construction, with no success. Her 15-year-old, Obi, had to completely pivot his approach after his online search yielded no results. Keeber acknowledges that it can be “quite soul destroying” for young people to endure such prolonged searches for low-level jobs. Obi, like his mother, eventually turned to entrepreneurship to create his own work opportunities.
Keeber also points to unique challenges in the UK, stating, “Here in the U.K., 10 years ago, you could have a Saturday job [as a young teen]. Now, because of health and safety, because of insurance, there’s that barrier in the way as well to stop them from getting any sort of experience.” This highlights how regulatory environments, while well-intentioned, can inadvertently create hurdles for youth seeking initial work experience.
Teens Are Turning to Old-Fashioned Tactics and Entrepreneurship to Make Summer Coin
In a market where traditional entry points are scarce, resilience and adaptability become paramount. While Keeber’s eldest son, Jed, continues his search for work as employers pull back on entry-level hiring, her youngest, Obi, has successfully built his own local operation. For about two years, Obi has been repairing bikes in his neighborhood, earning pocket money. He also provides garden landscaping services for several homes each week, typically earning between £20 to £50 ($27 to $67.50) per visit. Keeber estimates that Obi makes around £100 ($135) working up to 15 hours weekly, demonstrating a proactive approach to income generation in the absence of formal employment.
Other teens are also taking matters into their own hands, either by making their case in person or by leveraging local work programs. These strategies often bypass the digital gatekeepers that have become such a significant barrier for many.
Luke Della Valle, an 18-year-old from Westport, Connecticut, earns $18 an hour at Sharkey’s, a kid’s hair salon, where he sweeps floors and assists hairstylists. He secured this gig the old-fashioned way: by walking to the front counter and simply asking if they were hiring. This direct approach proved successful where his digital applications had failed, as he notes, it’s “a lot easier to turn people down if it’s online instead of in person.” However, Della Valle’s experience was not without its challenges; he recalls that most businesses “completely shut me down” when he inquired about seasonal work, as many were looking for experienced staff who would commit long-term, even for minimum wage roles. This indicates a shift where even basic positions demand a higher level of commitment or prior skill set.
Sophia Smith, a rising junior in high school from Staten Island, New York, also landed her job at Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices by simply asking in person. What’s more impressive is that the 15-year-old is holding down two jobs this summer. For several weeks, she participates in New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), an invaluable initiative available to young people aged 14 to 24 across the five boroughs. This program provides structured work experiences and financial stipends, offering a crucial lifeline in a competitive market. Smith earns approximately $700 from the SYEP, which entails working six hours a day, twice per week, including one day at the College of Staten Island, where she gains exposure to a college environment and professional tasks. On the side, she blends milkshakes and scoops frozen confections for about $17 an hour, one day a week.
Smith’s journey required significant grit. She found little luck calling up pizzerias or walking into coffee shops. Yet, her persistence ultimately helped her secure her "dream" summer job at the ice cream parlor. She credits being in New York City, a hub of opportunities, for boosting her odds. “You really have to go for it, just like I did…it is a little bit harder for us. You have to go in yourself,” Smith advises, emphasizing the importance of direct action. “Don’t even say anything. Just ask, ‘Are you guys hiring?’…And the number one rule is stay in touch with them.” Her advice underscores that in a tough market, proactive engagement and follow-up can make all the difference.
The Broader Context and Implications
The current state of the teen job market is a complex interplay of economic factors and evolving employment landscapes. The dip below 2010 levels, during the immediate aftermath of a severe recession, suggests that the underlying issues might be more structural than cyclical.
Economists point to several contributing factors:
- Economic Uncertainty and Slowdown: Businesses, facing inflationary pressures, potential recessionary fears, and fluctuating consumer demand, are often hesitant to expand payrolls, particularly for seasonal or entry-level positions that require training investment. They may opt to extend hours for existing staff or rely on automation rather than hiring new, less experienced workers.
- Increased Competition from Older Workers: The tightening overall job market means that college students, recent graduates, or even older adults facing underemployment might be competing for the same entry-level positions traditionally held by teenagers. This pushes teenagers further down the hiring queue.
- Automation and Digitalization: Many traditional teen jobs in retail, food service, and administration have been impacted by technological advancements. Self-checkout kiosks, online ordering systems, and AI-driven customer service reduce the need for human staff, especially for basic tasks.
- Skills Gap and Employer Expectations: As Simon Chow observed, employers increasingly seek "more experienced people." This creates a Catch-22 for teenagers who need a first job to gain that very experience. Companies might be less willing to invest in training due to perceived higher turnover rates among seasonal teen workers or increased regulatory burdens, as highlighted by Estelle Keeber.
- Demographic Shifts: While not the primary driver, changes in teen population demographics and school schedules can also play a minor role in the availability and timing of summer jobs.
The long-term implications of this challenging market are significant. Fewer teens gaining early work experience means:
- Delayed Skill Development: Essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management, typically honed in first jobs, are acquired later or through less formal means.
- Reduced Financial Literacy: Earning and managing one’s own money is a crucial step towards financial independence. A lack of early income can hinder this development.
- Limited Career Exploration: Summer jobs often expose teens to different industries and roles, helping them discover interests and potential career paths. Without these opportunities, career choices may be less informed.
- Impact on Mental Health: Repeated rejections and the struggle to find work can lead to feelings of discouragement, self-doubt, and anxiety among young people, affecting their self-esteem and motivation.
- Widening Inequality: Teens from lower-income backgrounds, who often rely on summer earnings for family support or school expenses, are disproportionately affected, potentially exacerbating existing socio-economic disparities.
Navigating the New Normal: Strategies for Success
For teenagers determined to secure summer employment, adapting to this tough market is crucial. The stories of Simon, Samantha, Obi, Luke, and Sophia offer valuable lessons:
- Persistence is Key: The sheer volume of applications submitted by Simon and Samantha, and Sophia’s consistent follow-up, underscore that in a competitive landscape, a high volume of effort is often required.
- Leverage Networks: Simon’s observation about friends with "better connections" highlights the enduring power of networking. Family friends, teachers, and community leaders can often provide leads or recommendations.
- Embrace Entrepreneurship: Obi’s bike repair and landscaping business is a prime example of creating one’s own opportunities. Babysitting, tutoring, pet sitting, online content creation, or offering tech support are other viable entrepreneurial avenues.
- Go Old-School: Luke and Sophia’s success with in-person inquiries proves that a direct, face-to-face approach can cut through the digital noise and make a lasting impression on local business owners.
- Utilize Youth Programs: Programs like NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program offer structured opportunities, valuable experience, and income. Teens should actively seek out similar programs in their communities.
- Develop Skills Proactively: Volunteering, online courses, or even self-directed projects can help build a resume and demonstrate initiative, making a teen more attractive to employers.
- Refine Application Strategy: Tailoring resumes and cover letters to each job, practicing interview skills, and following up professionally are more important than ever.
The summer job market of today is a far cry from the easygoing rite of passage it once was. It demands more grit, more creativity, and more resilience from young people than perhaps any generation before them. While the statistics are daunting, the adaptability and determination shown by these teens offer a hopeful glimpse into a future workforce that is resourceful and ready to forge its own path, even when traditional doors remain stubbornly shut. Policymakers, educators, and employers must also recognize this shifting landscape and work collaboratively to create more accessible pathways for young people to gain essential early work experience, ensuring that the summer job remains a formative stepping stone rather than an unattainable dream.
