iN

summer jobs

despite the dismal economy,
• teens find ways to earn money.

by Gabriella Ring and Alex Zaslow

et's face it — it's hard to find a job in Michigan. And

with adults taking jobs that often go to younger work-
ers, it's even harder for teens.
Michigan's jobless rate reached 15.2 percent in June, up from 8.2
percent a year ago, according to the Michigan Labor Market Infor-
mation Office. For Michigan teens, the jobless rate was 25.3 percent
the summer of 2008, with a teen labor force of 308,700. Projected
figures for this summer predicted the rate to jump to 28 percent, but
with a smaller labor force of 304,400.
In this dismal time, some teens have found summer work. The
lucky ones are working in typical summer jobs as counselors, baby-
sitters, lifeguards, caddies, waiters and in retail. Here are some of
their stories:

JOEL MITTER, 17, of West

Joel Mitter, 17, of West Bloomfield enjoys his

job as a caddy.

Bloomfield was a sopho-
more when he became
a caddie at Pine Lake
Country Club in Orchard
Lake.
"When I was younger, I
knew some kids who were
older and caddied, and
they seemed to have a lot
of money and enjoy their

job," said Mitter, who will be a senior at Bloomfield Hills Andover
High School. "I figured I'd give it a shot. Now I have a lot of money
and really enjoy my job."
Working mostly weekends, Mitter's duties include replacing divots
(chunks of dirt removed from the ground after a golfer swings), clean-
ing clubs, carrying clubs and keeping the course in good condition.
"I feel like I go on a walk for four hours and then they pay me,"
he said. "I get to eat a hot dog and country club food — it seems kind
of ridiculous that they're paying me."
Mitter saves his money for an undetermined long-term invest-
ment, like college or a car.
"I save all my money; I don't spend it on little petty things," he
said.
From this job, Mitter has learned how to interact with people and
express himself well.
When he's not caddying, Mitter also volunteers as a counselor for
Hispanic Outreach in Pontiac, a summer program for underprivi-
leged Hispanic kids.

Jared Berman, 19, of West Bloomfield works three summer jobs to help pay for college. This day he's a waiter

at Little Daddy's Parthenon in Southfield.

MAYA EDERY, 16, of Huntington Woods knows a thing or two about
responsibility. As a big sister to Annbel Bean, 5, Edery loves to work
with children.
summer iobs on page TT2

teen2teen August 20 • 2009 TT1