NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release August 29, 2003

Teens Get Back-to-School, and Back to Work, this Labor Day, According to Junior Achievement/Harris Interactive Poll

More Girls Plan to Work Than Boys.

Colorado Springs, Colo. – With summer drawing to a close, many students with jobs plan to keep working. Nearly three-fourths (72 percent) of teens say they will work this school year, according to a Junior Achievement/Harris Interactive Poll, a demographically weighted survey of 624 teens between the ages of 13 and 18. Typically, about 81 percent of teens in this age group say they work in the summertime. The poll was conducted between August 8 and August 22, 2003.

A majority of teens (54 percent) say they will work between 1 and 20 hours a week this school year. Four percent say they will work more than 35 hours a week. More girls (75 percent) than boys (70 percent) plan to work.

“Working during the school year is now commonplace for many teens,” said Dr. Darrell Luzzo, senior vice president of education at Junior Achievement Inc. “But they shouldn’t over do it. Students need to properly balance their schoolwork and extra-curricular activities first. That said, having a job can be a highly educational experience.”

Working teens say they spend money earned on the following:

· 57% - Entertainment (movies, CDs, games)

· 50% - Clothes

· 41% - A Car

· 33% - Saving for College

· 22% - Food

· 16% - Investing

· 14% - School Supplies

· 14% - Helping the Family

· 21% - Other

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and free enterprise. Through a dedicated volunteer network, JA offers in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12. JA programs focus on seven key content areas: business, citizenship, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics/character, financial literacy, and career development. Today nearly 150 JA offices reach four million students nationwide. Through its international operation, JA reaches another two million students in more than 100 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org.