# Teens send out 50+ applications but can't even get responses for volunteer jobs Finding summer jobs has become the hardest in years for teenagers. - **Source:** [Fortune](https://fortune.com) - **Published:** 2026-08-09 - **Topic:** [People & Culture](https://brifing.si/c/people) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e079c1dc-c0b3-4fc6-b276-27103fdd2d61 ## Summer job crisis for teens In summer 2024, teen job hunting difficulties reached their worst level in 76 years. Only 790,000 job openings were available for teens between May-July, a 1.4% drop from 2025. These are the lowest numbers since 2010 post-Great Recession. Teens now struggle to find work even at small mom-and-pop shops, severely impacting their first work experiences and pocket money opportunities. ## Application bombardment and ghosting 17-year-old Simon Chow from Canada applied to over 50 summer jobs but received no responses - not even from restaurants, cafes, or volunteer positions. In the US, 19-year-old Samantha Rosaforte nearly lost hope after 80 applications with zero replies. Over 90% of teen applicants get ghosted, significantly damaging their motivation and self-esteem during formative years. ## Experience and connections barrier Employers increasingly prefer experienced workers, reducing teens' chances. Chow believes friends who found jobs had better connections. In the UK, 17-year-old Jed has searched months for construction work, but health-safety regulations and insurance costs block youth employment. Fifteen-year-old Obi turned to bike repairs after failed online searches, demonstrating teen entrepreneurship trends. ## Return to traditional methods Teens now resort to old-school tactics like in-person resume drops. While weekend jobs were common for UK teens a decade ago, these opportunities have largely disappeared. The lucky few like Rosaforte - who landed a HelloFresh internship - had to survive 3 interview rounds for a 10-week program. This grueling process severely impacts young job seekers' confidence. ## Alternative income streams Fifteen-year-old Obi earns £100 weekly ($135) through 15 hours of bike repairs and garden landscaping, making £20-50 per visit. His story reflects how 60% of UK teens now try entrepreneurship or freelancing when traditional jobs fail. This shift highlights systemic failures in youth employment markets and the growing necessity for self-created opportunities among Gen Z. ## Psychological impacts Months of unsuccessful job hunting severely damage teens' self-worth. Rosaforte described feeling "not good enough for any company" after constant rejections. Mental health professionals report a 25% increase in anxiety cases among job-seeking teens. The prolonged stress of applications without feedback creates lasting scars during critical developmental years, potentially affecting future career trajectories. ## Structural market changes Teen employment has dropped 40% since 2000 due to automation, gig economy shifts, and employer preferences for older workers. Retail and food service - traditional teen employers - now hire more career adults. Minimum wage increases also make businesses hesitant to train short-term teen workers. These structural changes suggest the summer job market won't recover to previous levels, forcing permanent adaptation. ## Long-term implications Missing early work experiences harms teens' future employability by denying crucial soft skills development. Economists warn this could create a "lost generation" with weaker workplace competencies. Some colleges now offer career prep courses to compensate. Meanwhile, teen entrepreneurship rates have doubled since 2020, indicating a fundamental shift in how Gen Z approaches income generation amid systemic employment barriers. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/08/09/teenager-summer-job-market-internships-volunteering-applications-ghosting/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._