Summer job opportunities for youth in the Hub City

JACKSON, Tenn. — According to the Labor Department, the number of teens who had a job or were looking for one last year was the highest in more than a decade.

We did some looking around to see what agencies and industry experts recommend for those seeking a summer job and why it’s more than just a paycheck.

For teens and recent graduates, the summer is a time to take a break from the books, but for others, it’s time to make a little extra cash.

For those looking for first time employment, it is recommended to take away more than just a paycheck this summer.

“The job experience such as the soft skills that you learn, how to talk to customers, how to show up on time, shake hands and look employees in the face and so that is just as important as a paycheck,” said Logan McCoy, Vice President of Existing Industries, Greater Jackson Chamber.

Reach out to agencies that provide more than just list of companies and an application.

Resume building resources, interview preparation and summer internships could help direct first-time job seekers down a path that could shape them as a worker and allow networking to happen with future employers.

“We see a lot more people coming in this time of the year because we do offer some internships from some of our clients and we want to give new graduates the opportunity to go to these clients,” said Krista Hatch, Branch Manager for Nextaff.

In addition to internship opportunities, local agencies want to remind the community that there are bilingual recruiters who can assist in summer employment.

“I think it’s helpful just so they can know that we are here to communicate with them and we can understand them and help them with any needs they might have,” said Michelle Garcia, bilingual recruiter for Nextaff.

Industry experts recommend working locally.

They say for every dollar you earn locally it’s put back into the community, and that helps local businesses and the economy.

“There are ample jobs in Jackson right now, and there are more on the way. I will say that your dollar goes further here versus Nashville or Memphis. And so for every dollar that you earn here a lot of that stays in the local community in sales tax and in property tax,” said McCoy.

For those seeking employment, the Spring Career Expo held by Thomas Media will take place Tuesday, May 28 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center from 11 am to 3pm.

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