Data from the U.S. Department of Labor indicates younger workers are finding jobs once more, with 650,000 workers aged 16 to 24 securing employment in the past three months, CNNMoney reports.
That is the largest number since the economic downturn, according to the agency, and accounts for almost two-thirds of the rise in employment since August. The rest was concentrated among older workers, while those in the middle experienced a drop in employment. The unemployment rate for younger workers rose to an all-time high in 2010, with fewer than 45 percent holding jobs, down from more than 52 percent.
Experts told the news source this spike, while a good sign, may not be indicative of future performance. According to them, many of these younger workers are landing low-paying restaurant and retail jobs, rather than the better-paying, career-building opportunities college graduates prefer.
High unemployment and limited hiring mean that employers and human resource departments have their pick of these younger job-seekers, according to the news source, which increases competition and may be disheartening for those inexperienced with the job market. Those who persevere may be taking jobs outside their field, while others may simply seek further education or wait for employment to improve.
