by Chris Conte
NASHVILLE, Tenn.- A new study out by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth found that young people across the state are having a harder time finding jobs now more than ever.
"It's hard to get a job if you don't have any experience and it's impossible to get any experience if you don't have a job," explains Linda O'Neal who works for the commission.
The report out on Monday found that employment of people ages 16 to 24 in Tennessee is at its lowest point in 50 years. O'Neal say that much of the problem has to do with older, more skilled workers who are also out of work.
"So many older workers that have been displaced are now filling what were formally the starter jobs for young people," she added.
Even those with a high school education or higher are finding it hard to find a steady job.
"Sometime it's discouraging, you just search and search and search," says 18-year-old Stephen Milliken who is currently looking for a job.
Milliken says even with some experience working in shipping and a high school diploma, he can't even get a call back from McDonalds.
"You gotta have hope," he added.
Nationally 4.3 million young adults were not in school or working, the study found.
