The Heat is On for Teens to Find Summer Jobs

A high unemployment rate is hurting the part-time summer job search

Ice cream at Gannon's Isle Ice Cream Parlor on Valley Drive in Syracuse

Syracuse, NY -- In a tight economy, teens are having trouble finding jobs that often help pay for college. After sinking to a new low in 2007, teen summer employment is expected to fall once again this summer, to the lowest rate in 60 years.

Summer applications at places such as Gannon's Isle Ice Cream Parlor have increased, but unfortunately jobs have decreased. Last year owner Eileen Gannon received 25 summer applications, this year she's received 55.

"I think I hired four, maybe five new kids," said Gannon.

Those lucky teens that are employed by Gannon are thankful for their jobs as well as the perks that come with scooping ice cream.

"There's always air conditioning in here, so I don't have to worry about a hot, sweaty job and we get all the ice cream that we can eat so it's definitely nice," said employee Ted Curtin, 19.