U.S. Labor Chief Hears Job Worries of Youths
Labor Secretary Alexis Herman on Friday heard the job worries of youths at Compton CareerLink, a career and human services center.
Herman, who was among several dignitaries at a summit on youth issues, listened as a dozen youths told about their struggles in obtaining money for some of life’s basic needs--clothes, food and education.
“You say ‘Mom, I want this and I want that,’ and she says ‘Get a job,’ ” said 16-year-old Dorian Washington, a junior at Dominguez High School. She said she has her eye on a career as a computer analyst.
Johna Alexander, a senior at Westchester High, said she finds summer jobs necessary to help her parents raise money for her upcoming college expenses.
Herman, who promised to relay the youths’ concerns to President Clinton, said she was pleased with their frank comments.
“I was expecting to have to draw them out more and to encourage them to talk,” Herman said. “I didn’t have to do any of that.”
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