Human Resources: MINIMUM wage not enough

Although he's just 18, Lincoln High senior Adam Hurly is experienced at playing the Sioux Falls job market.

Holding steady part-time employment since age 14, Hurly's resume outlines a long trail of work history compared to many his age.

But for Hurly and other high school students seeking work this summer, minimum wage just isn't enough.

"I think I'm very employable, but I'm not settling for minimum wage," Hurly said.

The federal minimum wage is $5.15 an hour, but workers younger than 20 can be paid $4.25 an hour for the first 90 days.

That puts students like Hurly in a pinch, as they seek higher pay to cover car insurance and cell phones and to save for college.

"So far, I've applied for eight jobs, from working in retail to outdoor labor - all with no luck." Hurly said. "It's frustrating. I need money. I'm going to college."

Employment outlook good

Despite some students' current employment woes, the national economic climate, including Sioux Falls, is warming with summer.

With the city's largest growth expected in retail and construction - generally popular sectors among younger workers - employment experts say finding a job shouldn't be difficult.

Employment services organization Manpower said 40 percent of Sioux Falls businesses surveyed plan to hire more employees from April to June. That's up from 20 percent earlier this year.

O'Gorman senior Amy Jarding said most of her friends, including those who have jobs, don't have much or any money saved.

When they realize the cost of college, teens want to shop around to get the most cash per hour. That means passing on lesser-paying jobs that may be easier to get and waiting in hopes of making more.

"A lot of high school students, especially seniors, don't want to work for a short time in fast food (or other low-paying jobs)," Jarding said. "Students want to start a job that could be the first step toward a career they want later on."

Money matters most

But to Washington High senior Becca Labot, money is money.

Labot said students should try to find tolerable work. They shouldn't be too selective finding a job or expect to enjoy a work like a hobby.

"I wasn't very picky in finding a job. Some people are very picky, like they don't want to work retail or a restaurant," Labot said. "It really narrows the field for those people."

Some say the key to more job options and less competition is timing.

Looking for summer work in the months - rather than weeks - before graduation avoids the rush, and gives employers more time to consider applications.

College students provide competition for the high schoolers, and students at colleges that end classes before the Sioux Falls schools have an advantage.

Clothing store Banana Republic has received more than 20 applications in the past month, keeping the store well-staffed at 35, assistant manager Brooke Hammond said.

"We've had a lot of college kids come back," Hammond said. "That keeps us in good shape going into the summer."

Hammond said people with more work experience are preferable, but that doesn't mean high school students are disadvantaged. Aside from early applications, she said flexibility with hours is a big factor in getting hired.

Flexibility and timeliness paid off for Lincoln High junior Desirae Mousel. Looking for a job outside food service, Mousel applied at Ace Hardware a month ago. She said her willingness to work while in school, and varied hours in the summer, got her the job.

However, students just looking to work for the summer months might get a lower preference.

At Sioux Falls' largest retail employer, Hy-Vee Food Stores, students who can work throughout the year may have better luck landing work now.

"We like to have employees around a little longer than just the 'summer job,' " said Dan Rorst, a manager at the 26th Street and Sycamore Avenue Hy-Vee.

"Even if an employee works a few days a week over the year, that's better for us than someone who only works for two or three months."

In its quarterly survey, Manpower said Sioux Falls employers were "more positive" about hiring than a year ago, when some intended to cut back. All employers surveyed this year plan to maintain or expand their work force.

"Even though students might be having problems, I haven't seen any indication of a slow down," said Robert Meyer, the Sioux Falls branch manager for Manpower.

In fact, Meyer said Sioux Falls' job market was noticeably slower at this time last year.