During the pandemic, many companies had to let go of workers because of the lockdown. In April 2020, the unemployment rate reached 14.8 percent, the highest it had reached since 1948. 

With all of the people being let go, teenagers were not excluded. In April of 2020, the teenage unemployment rate reached 26.9 percent. Furthermore, one in ten teenagers were not employed because of Coronavirus (Covid-19) related reasons, and six out of ten youth lived in households with unemployment issues related to Covid-19. 

About a year later, however, teenagers went back to the scene, filling in some of the unemployment gaps in retail and restaurants.

Godwin Junior, Cade Corcoran, was among many Godwin students who received a part-time job over the summer.

  “I work at Chick-Fil-A, I am a Person of Service (P.O.S),  and I usually work somewhere between 17-25 hours a week,” said Corcoran.  

The fast-food industry was one of the many types of work that was affected by Covid-19, making it much harder to work.

“Working [at Chick-Fil-A]can sometimes be stressful, but I have very chill co-workers who all make up a very nice community,” said Corcoran.

Many businesses are hiring right now, making it easier than usual for people to find employment due to high demand. 

“When I applied for Chick-Fil-A, I got a response the first week, was trained the second week, and by the third week I was working,” said Corcoran. 

Many restaurants still have a mask mandate in place, for the safety of their employees. 

“I’ve basically gotten used to wearing masks, even when I’m outside, I keep my mask on,” said Corcoran.

For many students, balancing work and school has been a difficult task. 

“It’s been hard to balance school and work, because work is something I have to do, but school is something I need to do,” said Corcoran.

Corcoran started driving over the summer, and needed gas money to get around places, leading to him getting this job. 

“I needed gas money and I thought having a job would improve my work ethic,” said Corcoran.

He had to consider what kind of job he wanted to work at over the summer. 

“I figured fast food would be easy unless you’re in the kitchen. My dad always said that everyone should work in the restaurant business at least once, so you know why you should never do it,” said Corcoran.

Godwin senior, Kyle Gregory, worked at Marco’s Pizza over the summer of April 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I had some fun making pizzas and it was very easy working; I didn’t mind wearing a mask while I worked,” said Gregory.

While balancing school and a part-time job can be difficult for some, Gregory found it easy when school was online.

“I worked 24 hours a week because I needed money, and it was easy balancing school and work at the same time while school was online,” said Gregory.

Timothy Makar, a Godwin senior, also worked over the pandemic. He worked at Tarrant’s West over the past six months. 

“I work at Tarrant’s West and I started working there around 6 months ago. I’m a delivery driver there. They require me to help the servers and deliver take-out orders. I like working here because it’s pretty easy and nice,” said Makar.

Like many other students, Makar wanted a job so he could make his own money.

  “I needed money for myself and was just bored from sitting at home,” said Makar. 

Godwin senior Brooke West began her job at Yaya’s Cookbook at the beginning of March 2021.

 “I work as a hostess, and I mostly show people to their table and do other hostess duties, such as filling water, taking out orders, and answering the phone. The work is sometimes stressful, but I have good co-workers who I enjoy,” said West.

Along with many other restaurants, the mask mandate is also in effect at Yaya’s. 

“I do not usually have trouble wearing the mask, it’s usually the customers who are not compliant. Sometimes the customers yell at me for things that aren’t my fault, and I’m just trying to do my job,” said West.

West really enjoys her job even though it can be challenging at times.

“I enjoy working here, and I was recommended by some of my friends and just got to walk in and begin my job,” said West. 

West offers advice for anyone wanting to find a job during the pandemic now. 

“A lot of places are looking to hire. We are constantly understaffed. You just have to get out there and apply for jobs because they want you just as much as you want them,” said West.