[Student Reporters] Teenage Woes during Tough Times

Paul Sun Kim / <11th, Cerritos HS>

The new and improved HTC Touch Pro 2 from T-Mobile is fully equipped with the most up-to-date Windows Mobile technology fastest 3G networking convenient Wi-Fi connectivity and a 3.2 mega pixel camera that takes stunning pictures.

With an innovative design and computer-like qualities its suggested retail price is at $549.99.

Although best suited for businessmen and women what kind of teenager from the 21st century could refuse? Facebook and Youtube cannot wait.

But what's become clear on TV in newspapers on just about everyone's lips is that it just isn't the time to be spending several hundred dollars on a phone clothing games etc.

Although the recession is claimed to be nearing an end the effects of the economic plunge can still be felt even amongst those that have failed to reach the attention of most of America: teenagers.

In 2000 nearly 45% of teenagers 16- to 19-years old had jobs and the figure rose to 52% during summer time.

However not too long ago in the LA Times it was reported that unemployment rates in California reached 11.2 percent for those who were of working age; 16- to 19- years olds facing an even tougher situation with figures reaching 14.3 percent.

"Although we do in fact hire 16-year olds with working permits the economic downturn has forced us to reconsider how generous we can be in hiring workers to the team" said a store manager at Target in the Burbank branch.

"Taking into consideration all the factors it is much more beneficial to overall revenue to hire a worker that has more work experience a higher education and can work longer days at the store. By law we are required to send any worker under the age of 18 home at 10:00 p.m."

The competition that teenagers must face nowadays has become extremely fierce with retail stores such as Target and Wal-Mart receiving applications from college graduates with several years of legitimate work experience.

"But regardless of the age of the applicant I am always keen to witness the work ethic of a potential employee. If someone has the right attitude when coming into work and commits to doing his or her job well than I firmly believe that they have a high chance of being hired."

So friends why not give it a shot. The HTC Touch Pro 2 is waiting.