Report says portion of young adults with jobs at lowest level on record

The portion of young adults in this country with jobs, has hit its lowest level since the government started keeping track, according to a Pew Research Center report just released.

The researchers found, by the end of last year, only 54% of teens between the ages of 18 and 24 had jobs.

The report says the recession hurt young adults more than other age groups, and posits it could be because of growing college attendance.

Although the researchers also point out the employment rate has fallen regardless of enrollment.

For 18 to 24 year-olds in college, only 40.7% had jobs last year, which is down nearly 7% from 2007.

The employment rate for young adults not enrolled in college, has dropped to 65%, from 73.2% in 2007.

The job market has also influenced young adults' career goals according to the report.

The Pew Center researchers found nearly half of the young adults surveyed have taken a job they didn't want to pay bills, and a quarter have taken unpaid work for experience.