Why is it so hard to get a job?
Students from Northview High in Covina and Jefferson High in South Central Los Angeles offered their thoughts.
"The bosses who hire want somebody of more experience, which is someone who would be older. But to be experienced you need experience."
—David Peeler, 16, Northview HS
"The biggest problem is hours. You go to school and if you play sports you can only work on weekends. Some times you can’t get a ride."
—Patricia Chavira, 16, Northview HS
"We’re not responsible to handle school, work and sometimes sports."
—Jemima Galan, 16, Northview HS
"Some adults don’t consider how you look acceptable."
—Robert Villalpando, 16, Northview HS
"Employers stereotype minors. They think we’ll slack off and be immature. Sometimes scheduling gets in the way, too."
—Jessie Castro, 16, Northview HS
"I think they (employers) think we’re going to be jokers. And if you go to school from 7 to 3 then you have got to do homework. For high school students if you’re late then they going to fire you because there’s lots of other students that want that job."
—Keon Wilson, 16, Jefferson HS
"They won’t let you get a job because of the way you look and they don’t trust you enough. They should give you a chance though."
—Monserrat Villalobos, 15, Jefferson HS
"You have to be a certain age to work. And you have to sign a lot of papers. It should be just one. Why do they need to know so much information? It should just be an interview."
—Monica Cervantes, 15, Jefferson HS
