Why Youth Employment?
In 2021, the Washington Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board released a youth employment outlook post the COVID-19 pandemic. In the report, youth employment is highlighted as important because:
- The more young people work earlier in their lives, the more likely they are to work in the future. This has significant implications on the long-term labor supply.
- The more time teens and young adults spend disconnected from employment and education, the more likely they will be jobless, poor, or dependent on government assistance programs.
- Lower teen labor force participation reduces future productivity, and harms future GDP growth.
- Work experience provides young people with social skills, and helps them to navigate various professional relationships while at work.
- Early work experience helps young workers move beyond entry-level jobs, gain experience in different workplace settings, and knowledge of specific occupational skills.
- Summer jobs help keep teens from engaging in risky behavior when they’re away from school.
- Working in high school is correlated with better economic futures than those who don’t work.
Benefits of Youth Employment
There are many benefits for youth to pursue employment opportunities. These benefits include:
- Teaches responsibility, organization, time management
- Helps to establish good work habits, experience, and financial stability
- Youth who have been employed can be more marketable and competitive in the work environment because they have gained the skills the employers seek.
Resources for Youth Employment
1. Create & Enhance Your Professional Portfolio
Bellevue Center for Career Connections
The Bellevue Center for Career Connections, part of the RISE learning institute, is a resource for students, alumni, community members, and employers to receive employment related assistance and expand their education. Book an on-campus or online appointment with them for your employment assistance needs!
Bellevue College can assist you with:
- Resume building, cover letters, interviewing skills, and workshops
- Job training
- Internship/Apprenticeship
- One on one assistance (30-min sessions)
Phone: 425-564-2279
Email: careers@bellevuecollege.edu
WorkSource King County
WorkSource King County provides a variety of employment resources free of charge including customized employment assistance, career navigation and training resources. WorkSource helps with online job search, computer access, training, workshops and hiring events. One-on-one support is also available to identify individualized training and navigation of resources.
WorkSource King County can assist you with:
- Resume building, cover letters, interviewing skills, and workshops
- Job training
- Job Search
- Internship/Apprenticeship
- One on one assistance
Youth Program Finder - CareerOneStop
Career One Stop is the flagship career, training, and job search website for the U.S. Department of Labor. Find free job, career, and training assistance through a local youth program. Different programs may offer different services, so it's best to contact a few.
CareerOneStop can assist you with:
- Resume building, cover letters, interviewing skills, and workshops
- Job training
- Internship/Apprenticeship
2. Become More Marketable through Training and Upskilling Opportunities
Career Bridge
Career Bridge Washington features a catalog of over 6500+ Washington education programs all in one place.
- Career Bridge offers the following resources:
- Job training (Eligible Training Provider List)
- Job Search (Catalog)
- Internship/Apprenticeship (Catalog)
CareerOneStop
Career One Stop is the flagship career, training, and job search website for the U.S. Department of Labor. The website serves job seekers, businesses, students, and career advisors with a variety of free online tools, information and resources.
- Career One Stop can assist you with:
- Job training
- Job Search
- Internship/Apprenticeship
Soft Skills to Pay the Bills
"Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success," is a curriculum developed by the Office of Disability Employment Policy focused on teaching "soft" or workforce readiness skills to youth. It is an introduction to workplace interpersonal and professional skills that focuses on communication, work enthusiasm and attitude, teamwork, networking, problem solving & critical thinking, and professionalism
Free and Low-Cost Training Resources
Training can help to brush up on skills such as English, Math, and Digital Literacy and are also great avenues to mastering more specialized skills like software programs or accounting. Some free and low-cost options include:
- Khan Academy offers free online learning in school subjects at levels from junior high through college.
- Coursera and Academic Earth both offer free online college classes through video lecture, quizzes, and readings.
- Find a local library to ask what training or workshops they offer.
- Contact your local school district or community organization to see what training is available to the public.
3. Explore Employment Opportunities
Career Connect WA Career Directory
Find employment opportunities using the career directory all across the state
WorkSource WA
Search for jobs by title or your interests. Create an account for access to more resources including a resume template, job saver dashboard, workshops, and more
Other Job Boards (Provided by WorkSource WA)
Click here to view the list of other job boards available in greater puget sound, national, and specialty.
4. Find Your Career Path
Washington Career Bridge
Explore careers by taking a quiz, observe occupations that are in demand and decline, and find resources to start building your career pathway
Career Connect WA
Use the directory to find events and opportunities that showcases different jobs
My Next Move - CareerOneStop
Explore careers or take an interest assessment
5. Find Internship Opportunties
Career Connect WA Career Directory
Find internship opportunities using the career directory all across the state
UW Stemsub
Lists internship programs for high school students interested in careers in STEM.
Pacific Northwest National Library
Internship opportunities in STEM and business fields for high school, undergraduate, or graduate students. Internships can be completed either during the summer or during the academic year. Use the PNNL Job Search Tool