Teen-agers hunting for work should be able to bag jobs this summer, despite a cooler economy than in past years.

        There are opportunities, experts say, because many teens choose not to work. Instead of flipping burgers or working at the mall, some students use their summer to take more classes — or to take a break.

        But a higher unemployment rate and an economy weaker than in recent summers also means businesses are having little trouble filling seasonal jobs with older workers out looking for new jobs or to make some extra money, too.

        The national teen unemployment rate for 16- to 19-year-olds has improved in recent months to 15.6 percent, even though the figure remains higher than a year ago — 13.5 percent. Exact figures are unavailable for Greater Cincinnati, but the region typically does better than the national average.

        “For the young people, the bottom line is most of them are going to be able to find a job. Maybe not their ideal job, but most of them should be able to find jobs,” says Jeff Rexhausen, assistant director of research for the University of Cincinnati's Economics Center for Education and Research.

        And employers “shouldn't have as much of a problem as they had in other summers when unemployment was low,” says John Stinson, a labor economist with the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Because of the softer labor market, they may be able to hire teen-agers more easily.”

        Employment officials note job-seekers include adults who lost jobs during the economic downturn.

        “You've got a lot of people out there looking for work that normally wouldn't be out there, and who are willing to do things that they normally wouldn't be willing to do,” says Marsha Robinson, who directs employment and training efforts for the Citizens' Committee on Youth.

        Pam Kennedy, 47, of Monroe went looking for work last year, after she got laid off. After seven years as a cashier at a Warren County family-owned meat market and drawing unemployment benefits for six months, she went job-hunting and got hired the same day at the McDonald's on Liberty Centre Drive in Liberty Township. She was hired in August as a full-time cashier, taking a $1.35-an-hour pay cut.

        “They're really good to work for,” Mrs. Kennedy said, citing bosses who often compliment her work, and the company's 401(k) plan. “I thought, "Man, I should have did this a long time ago.'”
       

Fewer youth working
               Experts say more youths are deciding not to work summers.

        In July, 24.4 percent of 16- to 24-year-olds were enrolled in school, up from 16.3 percent in July 1994.

        Youths also are traveling, taking additional classes, seeking unpaid internships or doing volunteer work for extra experience, Mr. Stinson says.

        Heather DeYoung, 16, of Indian Hill, has decided to travel this summer. She plans to spend about a month in Fiji, surfing and doing community service. When she returns to Cincinnati, she'll take a few days off before joining the soccer team for practice at Cincinnati Country Day.

        “It's just something that interests me to be able to get out and see different parts of the world,” said Heather, who spent part of last summer in Australia.

Sun, work equals fun

               Last week, an alliance of business, city and community agencies announced the Youth Employment Initiative, a summer youth jobs program that replaces a program hastily assembled after last April's riots.

        Organizers hope to hire more than 2,400 people for subsidized jobs for 14- and 15-year-olds and unsubsidized private sector jobs for 16- to 22-year-olds. The jobs would run from about June 15 to Aug. 16.

        The Cincinnati Recreation Commission is searching for 325 lifeguards to work at its 41 community pools.

        “It seems like everybody is just scrambling for 15-, 16-, 17-year-olds now,” says Sally Reusch, a pool supervisor for CRC.

        Kings Island is among them.

        Officials at the amusement park — like most local employers — say they expect few problems filling its 4,000 seasonal jobs. They say young people are attracted to the amusement park in part because of the perks — free, unlimited access to rides, flexible schedules, a scholarship program and discounted merchandise.

        At PKI's most recent job fair, dozens of applicants were hired on the spot for positions paying more than minimum wage, $5.15 an hour, and up to $9 per hour.

        “Every year is actually a challenge, just with the amount of jobs that are out there for the youth,” park spokesman Jeff Siebert says. “So far this year, our recruitment and hiring efforts do seem to be going pretty well.”

        At The Beach Waterpark, officials plan to hire 450-500 employees, down from 550 last year, a spokesman said.

        Most jobs at the park pay $6.25 to $7.50 an hour, and are accompanied by free tickets for employees and relatives, as well as end-of-the-summer bonuses.

        Lindsay Brett, 18, plans to spend her second summer in a row at The Beach, working as a lifeguard and earning $6.90 per hour. Last year, she worked 40 to 60 hours a week, often picking up extra hours from co-workers.

        “It's the first job that I've been willing to pick up hours everyday,” said the senior at Kings High School. “I love being out in the sun working, and I just like the people and the environment.”

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