Finding your first job can be difficult. Finding employment for the summer can also be tough for a lot of teenagers. In this section, we hope to provide some assistance for teens looking for their first job, a position for the summer break, or gaining experience for later on down the road.

Here you will find a couple of programs centered in the South Puget Sound area.

The Just Hire One program is a summer employment program run by the Olympian Newspaper and the state Employment Security Department. The program tries to match up employers who might need summer help, with teenagers who are looking for a job during June, July, August and possibly September. Some companies, because of the nature of their business, need additional help over the summer and the Olympian tries to encourage them to make those temporary hires teenagers where possible.

The contact for the program at the Employment Security Department is Keegan Wood. 360-407-5115 is his phone number. You may also be able to find out more by contacting the Olympian at www.theolympian.com.

Olympia-based Community Youth Services also has youth employment programs. The organization specializes in training and employment for those ages 16 through 21. There are limited spaces available. For more information call 360-943-0780, extension "0".

Community Youth Services is also the South Puget Sound contact agency for the Americorps program. Americorps specializes in community service training and work for those ages 18 through 24. There are 60 positions available in the region. For more information call 360-943-0780 extension "0". You can also visit their web site at www.communityyouthservices.org. E-mail may be sent to

Wtanner@communityyouthservices.org.

We hope you find these services handy in finding that job you’ve been looking for. Good Luck!