Cool Stores, Bad Jobs

Sociologist Yasemin Besen-Cassino explores the techniques through which employers attract young, attractive, and middle-class workers for minimum wage, service sector jobs. Using in-depth interviews and job ads, she shows that employers focus on social benefits, discounts, and prestige of the brand to attract higher income workers to low paying jobs.

Featured Artwork

This article features the artwork of Amanda Lanzone, an award-winning illustrator based in New York. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts, her work can be viewed at amandalanzone.com.