January Job Market For Youth

An important issue for many of the youth in your church may be summer jobs.  The time for them to start getting those jobs is in January.  This is especially true if the youth want to get a job that will allow time off for that big mission trip or music tour that your group is planning.
 Over the last decade America has seen considerable "downsizing" of corporations:  IBM staff reduced by 100,000, Sears  merchandising division lost 48,000 employees, GM reduction of 74,000 workers.  These corporations are eliminating entry-level positions as well as senior positions.

In many cases, high school students, new college grads, and older job seekers are competing for the same summer jobs.  The jobless rate for 16 to 24 year olds is much higher than that of the general population.  Minority teens are the hardest hit with unemployment.
 You would be wise to recommend volunteer jobs to those who are not yet old enough to work paying jobs.  These volunteer jobs prepare a young person to be a better employee and they look good on a job application.

Theory and Theology

How does this make Disciples of Jesus Christ? Educators are taught to fulfill basic needs of students before they take on the improvement needs. Think about it: if a student is concerned about current income or about his or her ability to support self or family as an adult, is this person going to be open to Gospel teaching or volunteer mission service or many of the other aspects of your ministry with youth?

I your congregation's youth ministry is seen by the youth as a way to be prepared for all of life, then Christ is more likely to be seen as central to their decisions and their hopes.

Program Ideas

* Have a "Resume Writing Night" with the youth group.  Make the program a workshop and provide a useful outline for a personal resume (you may want to invite someone from your church to lead this).  Help the youth write a resume using the things that will tell a prospective employer what they have to offer.

Here are some things that you will want to communicate in such a workshop:

* An effective resume must stand out in a crowd--it is likely to be in a crowd of other resumes.

* Internships, significant volunteer work, and impressive school grades help an application or resume stand out.

* Develop a resume using a good "how to" book. (If there is a youth library, make sure there is a good resume book and help youth use it.)

*Keep Resumes short

*Concentrate on eye-catching cover letter.

* The appearance and organization of the resume is very important.

Check with the church secretary and pastor about making a church computer with a good printer available to the youth for preparing their resumes.

*** Follow up the "Resume Writing Night" in a couple of months with a "Job Interview Night."  Role-play some job interviews with the youth.  Ask members of your church who are responsible for employing people in their companies to participate.  After each role-play interview, debrief and discuss the good points, bad points, and pointers for improvement.

*** The topic of employment in the context of a church youth group lends itself to a discussion of Christian vocation.  I describe "Christian vocation" as any vocation to which a Christian feels that God may be calling her or him.  This could be butcher, baker or candlestick maker.  You know what I mean?

Invite members of your church who represent different vocations to be a panel for a youth program.  Select those who feel that they are doing God's will for their lives.  Ask each to make an opening statement and then let the youth ask them questions about how they became (or continue to be) aware of God's call.  If the questions turn away from the topic, you may need to moderate the discussion to keep it on target.

Remember to invite people who represent full time church-related careers.  These may include an ordained minister, someone who is a Christian educator, a missionary, a church business administrator, a custodian (and don't forget the youthworker).

Date Submitted: February 25, 2005