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

Leisure and Hospitality Remains Top Employer for U.S. Youth, OysterLink Analysis Shows

By: Newsfile

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2025) - The leisure and hospitality sector continues to dominate youth employment in the U.S., employing about 5.36 million workers aged 16 to 24 in July 2025, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as analyzed by OysterLink.

  Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10722/265675_0c2c8d43d4028802_001.jpg
OysterLink

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10722/265675_0c2c8d43d4028802_001full.jpg

This represents more than one-quarter of young workers in private wage and salary positions across all industries.

Despite small declines from 2024, leisure and hospitality remains the sector where young Americans gain early work experience, develop customer service skills, and earn entry-level wages.

IndustryTotal employed (16-24) July 2024Total employed (16-24) July 2025Change
Leisure & Hospitality5,519,0005,359,000-160,000
Retail Trade3,686,0003,564,000-122,000
Education & Health Services2,713,0002,952,000+239,000
Other Services1,014,000951,000-63,000

 

Why leisure and hospitality leads in youth jobs

Leisure and hospitality jobs often serve as a young worker's first entry into the workforce. These positions provide valuable experience in customer service, teamwork, and time management. The sector also reflects broader trends in the U.S. economy, where services dominate youth employment, and entry-level jobs are critical for skills development and future career mobility.

"Leisure and hospitality continues to play an important role in providing young people with opportunities to learn, earn, and grow professionally. These jobs become a launching pad for skills that last a lifetime," said Milos Eric, co-founder and general manager of OysterLink.

Turning insights into action

The data also highlights disparities across industries: while leisure and hospitality leads in youth employment numbers, other sectors like education and health services are experiencing growth, signaling new opportunities for young workers seeking stable or professional-track positions.

For hospitality employers, the takeaway is clear: strengthen first-job experiences to boost retention and loyalty. For other industries, the opportunity lies in attracting young talent by offering flexible schedules, training, and clear career paths.

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/265675

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.