Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

OysterLink Analysis: Youth Employment in Leisure and Hospitality Sees Slight Dip in 2025

By: Newsfile

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - September 12, 2025) - Youth employment in the U.S. leisure and hospitality industry declined slightly over the past year, according to new Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data analyzed by OysterLink, a job platform built for hospitality professionals and employers.

Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10722/266182_f6979f431429db56_001.jpg

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10722/266182_f6979f431429db56_001full.jpg

The number of employed workers aged 16 to 24 in leisure and hospitality fell from 5.52 million in July 2024 to 5.36 million in July 2025, a drop of about 160,000. This makes leisure and hospitality one of the few major industries to see a decline in youth employment during this period.

"Mild shifts like this signal deeper trends in how young people view hospitality jobs," said Milos Eric, co-founder and general manager of OysterLink.

"Our mission at OysterLink is to make hospitality work more attractive and sustainable, both for entry-level workers and long-term careers. Employers need to understand that this generation is looking for fair pay, growth opportunities, and workplace cultures that value them."

Table 1. Share of Youth Employment in Hospitality

JulyTotal Employed Youth (16-24)Employed in Leisure & HospitalityShare of Total Youth Employment
202421,259,0005,519,00025.9%
202521,116,0005,359,00025.4%

 

Why the Drop in Youth Hospitality Jobs Matters

Leisure and hospitality has long been a major entry point for young workers, offering first jobs and critical experience in customer service, teamwork, and leadership. A reduction in youth participation may create hiring challenges for restaurants, hotels, and bars already facing high turnover rates.

With nearly 1 in 4 young workers historically employed in hospitality, a shrinking youth workforce could signal more pressure on employers to improve retention strategies, pay, and working conditions. For an industry built on people and service, adapting to these shifts is key to staying competitive.

About OysterLink

OysterLink is a job platform for restaurant and hospitality professionals with over 400,000 monthly visitors. OysterLink connects talent with opportunities across the U.S., including the top server jobs in New York City or bartender jobs in Los Angeles.       

The platform also offers trend reports, expert insights, and interviews with leaders in hospitality. To explore more data-driven insights or post a job that works for today's talent, visit www.oysterlink.com.   

Media Contact   

Ana Demidova   
ana@oysterlink.com      

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/266182

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.