NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Teens searching for a summer job face tough competition from adults and a tough job market.
The national unemployment rate is 8.8%, but for teens ages 16 to 19-years-old the unemployment rate is 24.5%.
On Sunday, more than 1,000 adults and teenagers attended a job fair at Nashville Shores.
The water park is looking to fill 500 positions through out the park.
"We are fortunate enough to have a lot of jobs that people can have this summer. We are thankful we can do that for Middle Tennessee," Director of Marketing for Nashville Shores Daniel Strobel said.
Due to the tough economy, teens are now competing with adults for the offered positions.
"It is definitely a more competitive pool than say two, three, four or five years ago," Strobel said. "Teenagers are now competing with adults, it just makes it more difficult to find a job as a teenager."
Patricia Dunkum attended the job fair on Sunday. She told Nashville's News 2 that she has been unemployed for more than a year.
"I'm just needing extra employment, extra income. It is scary to see this many people looking for a job," she said.
Fifteen-year-old Alex Cole applied for his first summer job at the event as a concessions worker.
"I think it would be a good summer job and it would be fun to see all my friends and stuff," he said, adding, "I am saving to buy a car."
Malika Dorsey,16, is also hopeful to get a summer job as a lifeguard at the water park.
"I want to work here pretty much for the sun, the fun and spend time with people who work there that I know," she explained.
Dorsey told Nashville's News 2 she was surprised to see the number of people applying to work at Nashville Shores.
"It was a long process and I have been here since 12 o'clock, hopefully I will get the job," she said.
Strobel said the best way for teens to compete against people with more experience and education is to stand out.
"They should be polite, be attentive, be enthusiastic and be willing to work hard," he said.
Nashville Shores did not make any job offers at the job fair.
Applications will be reviewed this week and the park will contact those that make it to the next phase of the hiring process.
The job fair at Nashville Shores ended at 4 p.m. Sunday, but applicants can apply in person at the park Monday through Friday.
