As an older millennial, my high school and college summers were defined largely by the jobs I held. Not many of today’s teens can say the same.

Once a rite of passage, teen jobs are now endangered: just 35% of 16- to 19-year-olds worked last summer, down from 54% in 2000.

Big deal? Yeah, it is. This decline in youth employment matters more than we may think.

My only purpose in working as a teen was to earn as much money as possible, but I now realize that the experience and life lessons those jobs provided were far more valuable than the money I earned.

Low-wage, entry-level jobs provide the perfect opportunity for youth to learn the importance of key skills: showing up on time, getting along with co-workers, demonstrating respect and kindness towards customers who may lack both, and s

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