Governor reminds students: Don't put off your summer job hunt

CHICAGO - School is just about out for the summer and according to Northeastern University's recently released 2008 Teen Job Outlook the summer job outlook for teens and young adults is pretty bleak.  The path to a summer of success is to get those resumes sent in now.  Governor Rod R. Blagojevich is proud to offer some help with that, with the free and easy-to-use website: www.ILWorkInfo.com/icrn.

 

"Start now, if you haven't begun looking already," said Gov. 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 Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University reports that due to the slowing national economy, falling retail sales, increasing fuel costs and older workers seeking traditionally teen jobs, teens looking to work may not be able to find many opportunities. Last summer the teen employment rate was only 34.8 percent, the lowest annual average employment rate for teens ever recorded since the end of World War II. The Center for Labor Market Studies predicts this summer will be worse. The best suggestion: get online and get your resumes out there early.

 

The Summer Job Central webpage, run by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), is open for business and ready to help high schoolers and college students find that perfect summer job.  By clicking on "2008 Summer Central" at www.ILWorkInfo.com/icrn, teens can find useful hints for their job search and links to additional sites for finding summer job openings.  Jobs range from internships to part-time positions, government jobs and international opportunities.

 

"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," IDES Director James P. Sledge said.  "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."

 

"Summer Job Central 2008 will help our students get to the next level building a work history and gaining experience on the job," said Lori Dale, with the College Access Program in East St. Louis. "This is a great tool!"

 

The State of Illinois is also a great starting point for year-round job opportunities for young people.  IDES' Hire the Future (HTF) program links students with employers, giving both an exceptional experience.  Over the years, HTF has linked thousands of high school students to full- and part-time job opportunities and has enabled them to build a brighter future.  Visit http://www.ides.state.il.us/individual/youth/hirefutr.asp for more information.

 

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