Table 4 Illustrative quotes by theme... | Emerald Publishing

Table 4

Illustrative quotes by theme

Theme	Selected illustrative quotes
Work as developmental opportunity Skill development, confidence, identity formation	“I think the jobs really helped give me a sense on what it's like to actually have a job and to partake in a community and job setting.” (Lena) “My job really helped me with people skills and learning how to deal with people.” (Dana) “They've helped with my work ethic … when you develop those skills at one job, it makes it a lot easier at the next.” (John) “Working at Foodland brought me out of my shell and developed my people skills.” (Elijah) “They've almost helped me learn about myself and what I really enjoy doing.” (Ursula)
Precarity as a normalized entry condition Low-wage, part-time, service work as default	“My first job was at Burger King; second one was at Dollarama.” (Claire) “At the foundation of it all, it's customer service … just in different places.” (Camila) “The only work experience I've had is at Burger King.” (Francesco) “Fast food is my main goal for part-time work right now … it's short-term.” (Cameron) “I'll just work for whatever.” (Marek)
Converging motivations for working Money, belonging, learning, future orientation	“Money.” (Nate) “I genuinely enjoy my job now. I enjoy the people I work with.” (Tariq) “Money, and being able to put stuff on my resume for scholarships.” (Eleanor) “I personally like working. It keeps me busy.” (Rory) “It made me feel good that I was doing a good deed.” (Michelle)
Employer readiness and the limits of inclusion Lack of mentorship, progression, recognition	“Sometimes it does feel like I get treated differently because I'm younger.” (Francesco) “We were given too much responsibility for our age and lack of training.” (Callum) “If it's work-related, I can ask for help. Anything personal? Work is work.” (Nate) “I'm not given as much opportunity because I'm pretty new.” (Callum) “People need to be more open with hiring and helping teenagers get access to work.” (Rory)
Informal leadership and invisible labour Youth agency without authority	“Sometimes I don't take a leadership position, but I have to step up because I'm the most experienced.” (Claire) “There's a few jobs I'll take on and then lead other coworkers.” (Harris) “During group projects, I usually take the lead.” (Francesco) “It's usually a position where there would be two people, but I was the only one.” (Sophia) “You get more responsibility than the average cashier, but not the manager.” (Elijah)
Time poverty and competing engagements Chronic time scarcity and trade-offs across school, work, co-op, volunteering and extracurricular commitments	“It's really just school, work and home.” (Rory) “We were on the clock 23 h a day for six days straight.” (Cameron) “Right now, probably just work … other than school.” (Eleanor) “I work four or five nights a week … sometimes it's overwhelming.” (Emma) “I was searching for a job for a long time--it took patience.” (Ursula)

Theme	Selected illustrative quotes
Work as developmental opportunity Skill development, confidence, identity formation	“I think the jobs really helped give me a sense on what it's like to actually have a job and to partake in a community and job setting.” (Lena) “My job really helped me with people skills and learning how to deal with people.” (Dana) “They've helped with my work ethic … when you develop those skills at one job, it makes it a lot easier at the next.” (John) “Working at Foodland brought me out of my shell and developed my people skills.” (Elijah) “They've almost helped me learn about myself and what I really enjoy doing.” (Ursula)
Precarity as a normalized entry condition Low-wage, part-time, service work as default	“My first job was at Burger King; second one was at Dollarama.” (Claire) “At the foundation of it all, it's customer service … just in different places.” (Camila) “The only work experience I've had is at Burger King.” (Francesco) “Fast food is my main goal for part-time work right now … it's short-term.” (Cameron) “I'll just work for whatever.” (Marek)
Converging motivations for working Money, belonging, learning, future orientation	“Money.” (Nate) “I genuinely enjoy my job now. I enjoy the people I work with.” (Tariq) “Money, and being able to put stuff on my resume for scholarships.” (Eleanor) “I personally like working. It keeps me busy.” (Rory) “It made me feel good that I was doing a good deed.” (Michelle)
Employer readiness and the limits of inclusion Lack of mentorship, progression, recognition	“Sometimes it does feel like I get treated differently because I'm younger.” (Francesco) “We were given too much responsibility for our age and lack of training.” (Callum) “If it's work-related, I can ask for help. Anything personal? Work is work.” (Nate) “I'm not given as much opportunity because I'm pretty new.” (Callum) “People need to be more open with hiring and helping teenagers get access to work.” (Rory)
Informal leadership and invisible labour Youth agency without authority	“Sometimes I don't take a leadership position, but I have to step up because I'm the most experienced.” (Claire) “There's a few jobs I'll take on and then lead other coworkers.” (Harris) “During group projects, I usually take the lead.” (Francesco) “It's usually a position where there would be two people, but I was the only one.” (Sophia) “You get more responsibility than the average cashier, but not the manager.” (Elijah)
Time poverty and competing engagements Chronic time scarcity and trade-offs across school, work, co-op, volunteering and extracurricular commitments	“It's really just school, work and home.” (Rory) “We were on the clock 23 h a day for six days straight.” (Cameron) “Right now, probably just work … other than school.” (Eleanor) “I work four or five nights a week … sometimes it's overwhelming.” (Emma) “I was searching for a job for a long time--it took patience.” (Ursula)