As the summer job market tightens to levels not seen since the late 1940s, Colorado teens encounter significant hurdles securing traditional seasonal work. Many high school students have shifted away from conventional applications and retail or service jobs, instead leveraging personal networks and innovative skills to access more specialized positions.
One standout example is Nick Wetterling, a 17-year-old from Highlands Ranch, who landed an AI engineering internship at a Denver-based artificial intelligence firm despite the company not actively recruiting interns. Wetterling’s success came through a direct connection to the company co-founder’s family and his own technical background in machine learning and computer vision. By presenting his capstone project to the CEO’s son, he secured an opportunity typically unavailable to most teenagers.
The competitive environment has made it harder for many teens to find work. Wetterling noted that his twin sister, despite applying to dozens of companies, struggled to even land interviews. The uneven job market reflects broader economic challenges, including inflation and cautious hiring practices following pandemic-related labor shortages. Employers appear focused on retaining longer-term, more experienced workers rather than short-term summer help.
Labor market data show a sharp decline in teen workforce participation, with only about 39% of 16- to 19-year-olds currently employed or seeking jobs, a significant drop from rates consistently above 50% in previous decades. This reduction corresponds with employers hiring fewer teenagers nationwide, with projections for 2026 hiring figures at less than half the volume seen just a few years ago.
Despite these obstacles, some teenagers pursue alternative routes such as entrepreneurship or targeted networking. Initiatives like specialized job fairs and small business support centers funded by the Small Business Administration aim to connect young job seekers with emerging opportunities, particularly in tech and innovation sectors.
Colorado students utilizing their technical skills and building connections demonstrate a shifting path toward summer employment that goes beyond the traditional roles historically held by their peers. This adjusted approach may offer a new template for youth employment amid evolving economic conditions and labor market demands.