Jobs still there for persistent teenagers

Tia Shae O'Neal, 18, is spending her second summer as a lifeguard at Riverbend Country Club. (T-G Photo by Micky Pietkiewicz) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

As a result of a troubled economy, many workers across the nation have lost their jobs -- and the same holds true for Bedford County.

The local unemployment rate has risen to double digits in recent months, figures that are nearly twice what they were at the beginning of last year.

That glut of job seekers has led to stronger competition for work across the country.

For instance, teenagers in Jackson, N.J., are fighting laid-off adults for part-time summer jobs.

In Bedford County, however, teens are not having as much difficulty finding jobs, according to several local businesses.

"We employ five teenagers who have been working here for a long time," said Misti Smith, general manager at the Shelbyville Papa John's. "Most of our older workers are delivery drivers, so we have not had adults take jobs that would normally go to teenagers."

The Shelbyville Wal-Mart employs 12 cashiers who are under 18.

"We have not seen the problem of adults and teens battling for jobs here at Wal-Mart. We have many older cashiers and we hire teens as cashiers or cart-pushers. For several of the jobs here, you must be 18 or older," said Jill Reese, who is in charge of employment at the local Wal-Mart.

The local Burger King has not had problems with teen employment either, according to its management.

While retail and fast food are popular teen choices for work, lifeguarding is a great summer job, and an old standby for motivated teens.

Tia Shae O'Neal, 18, is spending her second summer as a lifeguard at Riverbend Country Club.

"It was not too difficult getting a job here as a lifeguard," she said Wednesday. "The difficult part was becoming certified.

"There were six applicants last summer and this summer there were only five. I am more concerned about finding a job once I go to college this fall."

But, she says she's confident that persistence will pay off in the end.

"The real difficulty in getting a job is just searching until you find something," she said.