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Get to Work!
Helping Your Teen Find
a Summer Job By Felicia Hodges
a Summer Job
Do you remember your first job? If it was working as a dog walker for a neighbor or delivering newspapers at the crack of dawn, you undoubtedly learned a great deal about the world of work. Although it may not have helped you decide what you wanted to do with your life, it probably gave you a good idea of what you didn't want to make your life's work.
Now you're an adult with children of your own. So what do you do when your 15-year-old comes to you and says that he wants to find a job for the summer?
If your child is reasonably responsible (handles a few around-the-house chores and makes curfew on time), and doesn't seem to have any major difficulties dealing with authority figures, your teen would probably have little difficulty adjusting to the world of work, according to James Sanders, a former job counselor with the New York State Private Industry Counsel. Sanders, who helps find summer positions for 15- through 17-year-olds, says teens who work hard in school will probably also work hard for their employers.
"Usually, if they are good students, they'll be good workers," Sanders says. "Employers like that and may try to get them back the next summer or even get them to stay on throughout the school year."
"It helps to try to find something that fits into things that the [child] likes to do," Sanders says. For example, if your child likes to read, check with your local library to see if they need assistance re-shelving books. If your daughter is curious about how things work or if your son loves animals, a job as a computer technician's helper or a veterinarian's assistant might be the perfect opportunity to learn more about a hobby. Encourage your child to look for work he finds interesting.
