Teenagers- we’ve all been there, using summer as an excuse to sleep all day, stay up all night, and play video games or binge watch Netflix. Instead of falling victim to the monotony of summers past, why not practice a few necessary life skills by getting a summer job? A summer job is a great way to bust the boredom, set up your teen up with a great life skills foundation, and create lasting “my first job” memories that will be remembered for years to come. I still remember my first job at Baskin Robbins where I made great friends, ate ice cream every day, and built up my forearm muscles with an ice cream scoop in hand.
Besides the great memories made, my first summer job also showed me what it was like to be on a team and to have other people depend on me. It taught me the value of hard work and basic budgeting skills. I continued this trend throughout my high school days. While other classmates were at parties, I was at work, staying out of trouble, saving up to buy all those things my parents said “no” to, and learning more about myself.
Retail and food service companies ramp up their staff to handle the influx of customers during the vacation months. These are popular positions and can fill up fast, or perhaps your teen has no interest in those types of jobs. If your teen loves being outdoors and couldn't imagine being inside all summer, positions like a lifeguard, golf caddy, or even camp counselor could be a perfect option. If they are more of an intellectual type, tutors and even internships are also readily available through companies across the US.
After your teen recuperates from finals, allow us to help them in their job search with application and interview tips. It’s never too soon to stand out for any job!
www.msccn.org/job-seeker-registration