TRAVERSE CITY -- College students who once had their pick of summer work that offered both professional experience and a paycheck are finding this year’s market one of the toughest they’ve ever faced.   

With summer approaching employees at Michigan Works in Traverse City are now seeing their fair share of college students, some frustrated with the job hunt.

Michigan Works Manager, Jane Sage says “I know there aren’t many jobs.”

The economic downturn has forced some people into taking positions that traditionally go to college students.”

Sage says "Adults who have been displaced from their traditional fulltime employment have to find some work and that is what is available."

Andrew Dunscombe, a sophomore at Grand Rapids Community College finally landed a summer job at Soft Car Wash. During his search for employment the competition was tough.

Dunscombe says "Older people that are more experienced and have college degrees and stuff."

While scrubbing cars from top to bottom isn’t necessarily his first choice, Andrew says he’s just happy to be getting a paycheck.

“Dunscombe says “It’s really hard to find a job. I was trying to find a job all during the school year and I couldn’t get one so I came up here where I grew up and got a job here.”

Flexibility just might be the key.

Sage says "I think students who are willing to be flexible and take the jobs that start early morning or late at night, times they usually don’t like to work. They’re going to have to broaden the scope a little bit in terms of what they're willing to do."