Summer Jobs Offer Glimpse of Good Life in Maine
Summer jobs in southern Maine offer unique insights into the region's everyday life. Livie Richards works as a farmhand at Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook, where she milks and feeds cows. Richards is preparing to attend York County Community College in the fall to study veterinary technology, a field she is passionate about. James Crowley, a 17-year-old worker in the oyster industry, spends his time harvesting and sorting oysters for restaurants while learning about oyster biology at Maine Ocean Farms in South Freeport. Amélie Pasco and Wren West contribute by maintaining a community garden with the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust.
Meanwhile, on Cape Cod, the rising cost of living and a tight labor market have led to an increase in teenagers taking summer jobs. The labor participation rate for 16- to 19-year-olds reached 39.3 percent in June, the highest since 2015. Local businesses, such as restaurants and ice cream shops, are hiring teens as seasonal workers, providing an opportunity for them to earn money for college or personal expenses. Paul Niedzwiecki, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, attributes this trend to more families bringing working-age kids to spend the summer on the Cape.
