Host: Sarah Gustavus

Let’s Talk New Mexico 7/12 8a: Adults aren’t the only ones looking for jobs in New Mexico. Many teens are seeking employment, both in the summer and during the school year. Teens not only need to gain crucial job skills and experience but they may be helping contribute to the immediate financial needs of their families. New Mexico’s youth unemployment rate has ranked among the highest in the nation in recent years.

Did you work as a teen? What did you learn from that experience?

Are you a teen searching for a job right now? What challenges have you faced while looking for work?

Are you a parent or grandparent who is helping a young person try to find a job? How does their search compare to when you were a teen?

Are you a business owner? What do you think is crucial for teens to be successful in the workplace?

We want to hear from you! Email LetsTalk@KUNM.org, tweet #LetsTalkNM or call in live during the show.

Guests: 

• Trish Lopez, founder of Teeniors
• Kendra Gonzales, Teeniors employee
• Kaitlyn Ackron, Teeniors employee
• Cristin Chavez-Smith, community outreach coordinator with the city of Albuquerque
• Kisha Bird, Director of Youth Policy at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)

Note: Kisha joins the show at about the 5:20 mark during the hour-long program. To listen to the show, click here.