There’s work in finding work as more and more young people search for employment. This recession is shaking teenagers into action. StatsCan recently revealed that 20,000 more people aged 15-24 years old looked for work in Jan. 2011 than in Dec. 2010. Old-time strategies like cold-calling businesses are becoming popular; one youth handed out 14 resumes to 14 establishments in one day. He eventually received one promising call in the end. Volunteering is another option for earning coveted work experience. Formerly seen as a leisure-time thing, it now provides a welcome pick-me-up to mediocre resumes. A varied hobby list also shows off well, representing an open mind and the urge to learn new things, good qualities to have in the workforce. With so many prospective workers eyeing jobs, the rush to stand out can become fierce.While many teens gripe over their problems in finding employment, those that do get hired find all that trouble worth it. Ashley Bailey is one of those lucky souls. In Grade 11 at Chemainus Secondary, this is her first job. Working since last July, she says, “I’m a pump jockey ... in Crofton.”“ I like work, [my] awesome boss and great costumers.” And like any typical high school student, homework simply cannot be ignored. “With school, it’s hard to get that 500 hours of new-hires time in. So I’m definitely lucky.” Teenagers are the new It generation. As Canada’s population begins to retire, the newest crop of workers is maturing as we speak. In the near future, the economy will depend on these youthful-faced employees. But in order for them to take their productive future roles in society, there must be more done today to ensure that they get the experience and funds they need to excel. This is truly a case of investing today to produce tomorrow. The young people are eager, qualified, and bored. Give the kid a job.