Teens want more than a job

CLEVELAND — What’s worse for a teenager than not having a summer job?

Here’s a clue: Drive-thru windows.

Teenagers think working at a fast food restaurant is almost worse than being broke and bored, according to our unscientific survey of teens on the subject of summer jobs. We found kids in their native habitats: malls, Starbucks, Chipotle and high school parking lots.

All of the Ohio students surveyed said they want to work, and that money is the prime motivation.

“I like having money in my pocket,” said North Royalton High School sophomore John Herman.

However, nearly two-thirds of teenagers will have empty pockets. The nation’s teen employment rate will be 36.5 percent this summer, according to the Northeastern University Center for Labor Market Studies. That’s slightly worse than last year. The overall teen employment rate the past three years, 36.6, was the lowest in the past 60 years.

Teenagers’ choices for summer jobs are limited by their experience, skills, schedules and transportation. But within those limitations, students said they most value working with friends or at least other young people.

“It doesn’t matter what job you’re doing if your friends are there, too,” said high school senior Josh Jenning.

“Pay doesn’t matter if you don’t enjoy your work,” said Chris Duxbury, another senior.

Here are some other thoughts from the youths who will be cutting lawns, painting houses, baby-sitting and waiting tables this summer:

Even youths who never donned a paper hat and uniform think fast food jobs are a last resort.

You leave work smelling like burgers ‘n’ fries, chorused Lakewood High School sophomores Jennifer McIntyre, Sarah Hrabak and Cynthia Nguyen.

The customers are rude, Chris said.

Being around the same food all the time would be boring, Normandy junior Mallory Paulan said.

Standing all day would be tiring, said North Olmsted junior Orsi Veress.

But time would fly, Valley Forge High School sophomore Robert Stocum said. “You’d get to interact with people a lot.” He is hoping this is true, because he’s applied at a fast food restaurant.

Some students showed an equal disdain for lifeguarding, once thought of as a ticket to a great tan and irresistible to the opposite sex.

“Lifeguarding is the worst!” Chris said. “You’re sitting up in the chair watching. Boring. And you’d get sunburned, too.”

But that’s the part Mallory likes. “I’d love being out in the sun all day,” she said.

How about scooping ice cream?

“It’s hard work, but you get good tips, and it’s really fun,” said North Royalton junior Betsy Brick. She works at a MooTown Creamery and Abercrombie and Fitch.

It doesn’t feel like work, Sarah Gilbert said. The Magnificat senior works at Rosati’s Frozen Custard.

Parma Junior High School freshman Megan Shadrach hopes that’s true. She’s applied to work at an ice cream shop, her first job.

Does retail fill the teenage bill?

“It’s an easy job. I just walk around, greet people and wear clothes,” Betsy said. Her comment got a laugh from Mike Chmielewski, a Padua High School sophomore. He has taken automotive classes at Cuyahoga Community College and has a job at a car dealership.

Normandy senior Chris Buckingham, who also works at Abercrombie and Fitch, agrees with Betsy. His second job is hosting at a seafood chain restaurant.

“It”s less stressful than baby-sitting, and the pay is good,” said Normandy senior Elizabeth Hughey, who works at J.C. Penney.

But Rocky River sophomore Tim Jones said no job indoors is a good job. He and classmate Alex Scott have the ideal summer employment, he said. They caddy at Westwood Country Club in Rocky River. “Flexible hours. Outdoors. Meeting people,” Alex said.

Shaker Heights High School juniors Neil Nash and Cameron Wilk echo that. They’ll be working for a contractor building decks this summer. “It’s a life skill,” Neil said.

Parma High School sophomore and animal lover Melissa Parland, her neighborhood’s trusted pet-sitter, said she is lucky to have a summer job she loves. She’s taking care of the animals at Pets’ Choice in Parma, where her older sister also works.

“I feed the animals and change their bedding,” she said. “It’s a good job, and everyone is nice there.”