Is your child way past the days of play dates and camp? Is he looking forward to a summer of lolling around the house playing video games? Why not look into local job opportunities for teens? Whether it’s bagging groceries or shelving books, a job builds a teen’s character, improves performance in school and occupies time productively. Two families I know were thrilled to find local business people who welcomed young adults. One child sold fruit at a local orchard, and the other assisted in a newspaper office. Both did so well that they were asked to work some hours during the school year.
Depending on where you live, children who have reached high school age are eligible to work a limited number of hours with parental permission. Working papers are usually available at school. Research the regulations in your area to determine if this is the summer your youngster will make his first foray into the exciting world of gainful employment.

Attitude Toward Working

Some folks think that permitting a child to work is a poor reflection on a family’s ability to provide. I think otherwise. Children should have their first work experience while under the watchful eyes of their parents.
For most young people, all of the study and sports and ballet lessons will culminate in getting a job and taking on adult responsibilities. Work isn’t a dirty word. Why not help your teen to begin thinking about careers way before he has to choose a college major?
As your teen enters high school, you should try especially hard to model a healthy work attitude of your own. Discuss positive aspects of your job and bring your child to work. Plant the seeds of positivity and begin to refer to the exciting day when he gets his first job.
If your teen is reluctant to work, it’s probably because he lacks motivation. Are you paying his cell phone bill? Car insurance? Think about it, and read on.

Employment Sources

School
Join your teen for an appointment with his guidance counselor or career resources center representative. Very often, local residents contact high schools when they need someone to mow the lawn or babysit.

Library
Trained professionals can help with job research using local newspapers and the Internet. Community bulletin boards have job postings. And, libraries often employ students to shelve books.

Religious Office
If your family is affiliated with a religious organization, visit the office to make it known that your teen is in search of summer employment. If any members of the congregation have openings in their places of business, or at home, your teen may be invited to apply for a job.

Local Merchants
The next time you run errands, take your teen and make inquiries at the local baker, florist or grocer. The best places are the ones that your child can get to on his own. Pick up some job applications and bring them home to complete together.

Neighbors
The folks next door can be a wonderful resource. They’ll keep their eyes and ears open, and when they need someone to wash the car or clean out an attic, they’ll know who to call.

The Interview

Resist the urge to do mock interviews with your teen until he runs screaming from the room. Make sure he has clean clothes, a shower and combed hair on his big day. Tell him to talk to the employer as if he were talking to you. He’s got nothing to lose because you’ll love him either way. Look him in the eyes. Smile. Laugh. Shake hands and tell him he’s terrific. Then, have him make his own way to the interview as he will when he gets the job. Let him be himself. That’s who you want the employer to like.

Benefits of Working

Develop a good work ethic
There are some aspects of life we must experience in order to learn. You can talk about it all you want, but until a child knows what it feels like to manage the challenges of having a real job, he won’t fully understand what his parents, and most of the adults in his life, do every day.

Build self-esteem
A job gives a teen a chance to shine in a whole new way. Success at work is a great confidence booster. It enables a child to develop an identity away from home, to learn from mistakes and to know that his contributions make a difference.

Learn responsibility
Getting to work on time and doing a good job will build your teen’s character. Knowing that people are depending on her to do her part to make the business successful is very motivating. Small businesses are especially nice for young people to work in. The feedback is good with a hands-on boss, and so are the opportunities to learn about the workings of the whole business.

Take pride in working and earning
Instead of earning grades, your young person is making money to spend and save as you allow. Working an hour equals a ticket to the movies, two means he can bring a friend. What better motivation? Adding to his college fund gives him a vested interest in his future, and when he gets there, he’ll probably take his tuition a little more seriously.

Start a resume
Each job we have adds value to our resume. Help your child to start a list of school accomplishments and work experiences for a leg up on upcoming college applications and future jobs. Be sure to gather references and letters of recommendation from employers.

Make friends
As an employed and respected member of the community, your teen will interact with customers and co-workers in a positive and mature way. His social circle will broaden and he’ll become comfortable in a world that will become a little larger with each new experience.

Volunteering

Not every teen will get a job on his first try. Another excellent summer opportunity is to help others in a non-paid capacity. While it won’t pay the phone bill, a volunteer position will add real world experience to a blossoming resume. Use the resources above to find suitable positions where your teen will reap the rewards of human service.
Good luck and have a great summer!

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