Tough times ahead for young job seekers

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - To be unemployed and under 25 is a tough in this recession. The jobs are few, and the competition is more intense than ever before.

Many young people looking for a job at Career Point in Holyoke are finding their age is an added stress.

"Young people have been hurt quite badly by the market, the number of positions for them has gone down dramatically. The older worker, the laid off workers, who in the past wouldn't be interested in positions teenagers would be interested in," said Bud Delphin, Career Point Director of Programs and Services.

Younger job seekers are often competing with people who are, in some cases, twice their age with twice the experience.

Many at Career Point are focusing on education. Youth career counselor Alex Morse told 22News, "A high school diploma and a college education are more important now than they were ever before, and a lot of people know that cause we're competing against adults now."

Counselors say work on finding a career, not just a job. Although it is a daunting task, it is not deterring some young people from setting goals.

Surey Sostre of Chicopee said, "Just to go for it, try to go for your dream. Reach for whatever and try to make it."