Forget fast-food and retail. A teenager in B.C.'s Okanagan is adding a new job to his resume: city councillor.

Nineteen-year-old Kevin Craig beat out 14 other candidates in a by-election Saturday to become the youngest-ever person elected to Kelowna city council.

Craig will take the seat of veteran councillor Brian Given, who passed away in August.

"It's pretty surreal," Craig told ctvbc.ca in a telephone interview from Kelowna.

The full-time political science and economics student at UBC Okanagan said his professor announced his new position in front of a full lecture hall when he got to class Monday morning.

"Everybody knows. It's pretty exciting." he said.

Craig, who still lives at home with his parents, beat his nearest challenger, Todd Sanderson, by 436 votes. His term will run through December 2011.

He credits his win to old-fashioned hard work. The high-school graduate, who was named Young Male Citizen of the Year in the 2007 Kelowna Civic Awards, narrowly missed his last bid at public office, being defeated by only 39 votes in the 2008 civic election.

"I realized last time that every vote counts," he said. "I made sure I left no stone unturned."

Along with a team of volunteers, Craig spent 10 hours on Election Day going door-to-door canvassing voters.

"The feeling is just returning to my feet," he said.

The teen's platform centers heavily on preparing the area for an aging demographic shift. He says council must take proactive action to establish a business-friendly climate to attract and keep young people in the area. He also advocates safe and accessible transit.

Craig currently sits on the board of directors for four area organizations, including the Kelowna Food Bank and United Way.

Craig first fell in love with community service work at the age of 14, when he joined a local Rotary club. He is now the vice president.

After watching Kelowna city council meetings from a seat in the back row for the last two years, Craig will take his place on the council after being sworn December 14.

"I'm going to have separation anxiety when I leave that chair... but I'm so excited for the opportunity."

As for juggling council responsibilities with full-time course work, Craig says he's prepared.

"I've just accepted the fact I'm going to have bags under my eyes until I'm retired."