If you can easily afford to give your kids discretionary spending money, you may not be inclined to encourage them to get an after-school or summer job.
But, even if money isn’t an issue, you could be doing your kids a disservice by not requiring them to work.
“Working during the summer or after school is highly beneficial because it gives teenagers and college students a taste of what the real world is like,” Junior Achievement’s Stephanie Bell says. “The financial consideration may play a role for some families, but not for all.”
Bell says part-time jobs prepare youngsters to enter the professional workforce later in life. She says waiting tables or working as a day camp counselor can provide valuable experience in managing conflict in work environments, following through on commitments, being punctual and developing work ethic—all skills that will help kids succeed in post-college careers.
Many teens have rigorous academic and extracurricular schedules, and the pressure to get into top universities can be stressful. But, Bell says high-achieving kids can still get some work experience by taking on periodic babysitting jobs or mowing neighbors’ lawns. Those types of jobs offer greater flexibility, and so may be more feasible for busy teens.
Rachel Cruze, co-author of “Smart Money Smart Kids,” says working during high school and college also helps kids develop money management habits they’ll need as adults. When parents hand cash over to teens, the kids don’t learn that money has limits and can end up in debt as adults, Cruze says. She advises parents to help working teens set goals about how they want to spend money from part-time jobs—including having some fun with it.
“Teach them about the ‘why’ behind working and let them be intentional with the money they earn,” Cruze says.
Kim Costa is a job-search coach for SnagAJob.com, a job board for hourly positions. She says that although the job market has been difficult in recent years, there are jobs to be had for ambitious teens, particularly in the retail, restaurant and hospitality sectors. In fact, 74 percent of employers intend to hire summer workers this year, according to a recent SnagAJob.com survey.
How can your teen land a summer job?
- Start looking early. Costa says teens should start job searching early because employers prefer to fill positions before summer is in full swing.
- Be flexible. To increase their chances of landing jobs, young workers need to have flexible schedules because most part-time gigs require evening and weekend shifts, Costa says.
- Create a resume before applying. Costa says a first resume can be short and simple, and teens without previous jobs can highlight volunteer experience and academic achievements.
