6 Critical Benefits of Getting a Job in Your Teens

[Luci92]

I'm a teenager and I'm currently working part time while at high school, and I can definitely see the benefits, so I'm hoping you will too!

1. Concept of Saving

While having a job means there's cash flow, it also means you can start saving and 'squirreling away' that money for say, a college/university fund or a car.

2. Independence & Maturity

Having a job in your teen years comes with responsibility and independence too, and also forces you to grow up a little. Especially if you're working with adults, you'll find yourself becoming more mature too. I found that when I got a job and my life didn't revolve around school, I developed a much more positive outlook of the future and whatever drama happened at school suddenly became trivial.

3. Social Skills

Most jobs involves some form of communication, whether it be talking/serving customers or talking to colleagues, and a job is a great way to improve your social skills and allows you to mix with a wide range of people.

4. Time Management

This is a big one, especially if you're still in high school. Having specific work hours means you have to work around that and any other commitments you have, and then suddenly your time becomes more precious and you find yourself planning and organizing your weeks better.

5. Spending Money!

Seriously, there is such a high demand for material things these days and a lot of pressure put on teens (by teens) to have the latest iPhone, the expensive brands etc, and I used to always find myself short on cash. Now I no longer have to feel guilty mooching off my parents! But it's important to save too, what I do is put 3/4 of my salary in a bank account that I can't touch, and then have the other 1/4 go onto a savings card for me to access.

6. Future Jobs

Specifically where you worked as a teen might alter things a little, but it's much more appealing (or so I've been told) to have previous workplace experience as a teenager when applying for jobs when you're older compared to someone who's had no experience.

Hope you enjoyed this Take!

*everything here is from my opinion and perspective, and if you disagree, please do so politely*

[The_Kitchen_Sink]

I agree but the things I've noticed with myself is that sometimes I just want to be a normal kid.
Im supposed to get an internship on an international space program that will start this year. That means no more going out, no more daydreaming, no more feeling normal.
If I take it, at that very moment I am becoming an adult. Hundreds of people are depending on me and a slightest mistake will not only impact me but hundreds of others.. Maybe even thousands... Being responsible and maintaining your reputation is hard. And sometimes can be too hard for a teen... It always comes with trade offs...

[Luci92]

Wow that sounds amazing but I can imagine it would put you under a lot of pressure. Don't be too hard on yourself and good luck!!

[The_Kitchen_Sink]

Thanks. Its an amazing oppeetuniry though so I can't say no...

[The_Kitchen_Sink]

I killed opportunity on at post

[helloitsmethere]

I'm going to show this to my parents so that they will allow me to get a job...

[Anonymous]

I think It helps most people but it wouldn't have helped me much in my particular area. Jobs you can get at that age are normally customer service those skills don't translate much to writing code + that doesn't suit me and I don't know I would have been told about accounts or if I would have even seen It systems.
I might have met some contacts but that can only do so much if you don't have the skills in the first place and back then I had few marketable skills.
I did a few odd jobs for relatives and fixed and built things learnt how to change a tyre fix a keyboard cut and fit glass and wood panels.
I think the blend of things like that and learning to write code and about accounts helped me more I was never going to be good at customer service I like solving technical problems and mending and building things.
I get tired talking to people for a long time even when it's something I care about but I can happily spend 10 - 12 hours on a Saturday mending the lawnmower taking apart and fixing my old laptop, checking for breaks in Christmas tree lights or working on my website or getting use to a new bit of software or an open sorce project or building an app , working with 3d modeling software learning more about low or high level programing etc

[Prof_Don]

The social skills matter a lot, and are quite underrated compared to the other points in the Take.

Being forced to deal with people that you don't like, and handling that social battleground gracefully, is one of the most important life skills. I see too many older teens and young adults that are unable to do this, and they socially and financially suffer for it.

[Anonymous]

You missed the most important one in my view. Taking the opportunity to see how a business really works from the inside so that you can take control of your own life and not always be dependent on someone else for a job. The rest is peripheral compared to that, you should be studying how you can be the one in charge.

[ManOnFire]

Definitely agree. The most important thing about it is the experience part, yeah. When you start early enough with experience, it makes it easier to get future jobs. Adults who have never worked have a far harder time getting hired.

[W31rd0]

I have done mostly volunteer work throughout my teen and adult years. I haven't lived long, but it feels like, because I don't have any PAID work experience, I am suffering from the unemployment in my teen years. The longer I stay unemployed, the harder it will be to get employed. Must network more.

[ManOnFire]

@W31rd0 Yeah, it's an unfortunate thing about today's work world. I don't agree with it, but that's how it is.

[W31rd0]

Sometimes, I wonder how my life would have been different, if my parents had been non-immigrants or religious or part of mainstream white culture. Networking is especially important in the workforce. Many of my white classmates get jobs, because their friends or family members know someone who needs a fill-in. I also have a foreign-sounding name, partially because I am a foreign-born American citizen, and my parents named me because it was more pronounceable and meaningful in their native language. But in America, you can get judged if your name sounds/looks too foreign, yet I have no idea how to change it on apps. They do background checks and all that. Why didn't I choose an English name back when I became naturalized? Church life is always very important in American society, especially among the poor. They have a lot of volunteer opportunities for kids, and even allow kids to participate in the worship service by being altar servers.

[FallOutBoy2001]

I volunteer full time over the summer and then only on Fridays during the school year

[Luci92]

That's awesome :)

[RedVulcan]

Every single one of those points is pretty strong. What was/is your first job tho?

[Luci92]

Not to brag, but I have a pretty awesome job, I work for the local council as a trainee one day a week, instead of going to school (and I get paid). I'm also doing a business certificate :P

[Luci92]

I don't know what your government system is like in Canada, because council may mean a very different thing for you, but I can't really explain ahah.

[RedVulcan]

Awesome is right! So long as you're not skipping anything important that is a pretty awesome gig you've landed. Yeah, don't bother explaining lol I don't know much about my municipal government (I'm guessing your "council" is local to your city).

Here's a question/counterargument: what if you're stuck in a shitty job or doing something you don't like?

[Luci92]

Thank you haha, yeah you're pretty much spot on. I'm hoping I'll land a job there after going to Uni to study which would be sweet.
It'd depend on how much I disliked it, and the pay and the financial situation. I'd just be looking for another/applying for different jobs, and change jobs as soon as possible I guess.

[RedVulcan]

Makes sense. I think this mytake and your comments have helped me a bit in my decision to get a job or not. Probably will now, once the Uni acceptance drama is over.

[Luci92]

That's awesome, that was my goal :) You should get a job when you're ready, I think, and good luck!

[SaraMcK]

yes, I agree. Every teen should get a job for the reason's you list.

I've been fortunate enough to get a good part time job which pays well (NOT McDonald's!! LOL) but what I value most is the responsability & having to deal with boss's and co worker's. Thats the best part, the human interaction.

[maurkay]

I want to get a job when I'm 16, but I'm not sure how I'm gonna do that, because my mom won't let me drive until I'm 20, and she won't let me take public transportation either :/

[W31rd0]

Welcome to the Internet Age. As part of the Net generation, you can now make money on the Internet! Beware of scams and cons, though. They can be pretty sneaky. Never offer your social security number, your date of birth, your real name, your street address, your credit/debit card number to a company website, unless you are confident that it has proper security. You should trust banks, but always check the website URL, because scammers can make a fake website that looks like the real thing. Use security precautions on the Internet. On the Internet, it is possible to be a freelancer independent contractor, but you have to have a specific tech skill set. If you are not a techie, a writer, an artist, a musician, a translator, a transcriptionist, then you may find it very hard to make money online. But it's doable.

[helloitsmethere]

won't let you drive until you are 20? Are you sure she isn't joking?

[maurkay]

@helloitsmethere No, she's serious. It's crazy, right? I was talking to her about letting me get my permit 16, even though I could get it now, but I think I'll be more ready at 16. Then she yelled at me and showed me a website with statistics of teenagers who were injured or died driving. She said "the mind is not ready yet."

[helloitsmethere]

Doesn't she know that the earlier you learn to do something, the more likely you are able to master it?
Plus she only saw a very small percentage of teenagers in those statistics.

[maurkay]

@helloitsmethere Apparently she doesn't know that. She doesn't believe I'm ready, which I know I'm not right now, but waiting until I'm 20 is too much. I have 2 friends who are 14 and they've already started practicing.

[maurkay]

If I talk about it anymore she'll probably just yell at me so I guess I'm screwed

[helloitsmethere]

Wow... that sucks :/

[maurkay]

@helloitsmethere. yeah. Oh well.

[Izzex3]

My mom didn't let me have a job when I was in school, lol.
Summer vacation I would try, but had no reliable transportation.
Didn't get my first job until I was 20.. which sucked, lol.

[W31rd0]

One job is better than nothing. You're luckier than I. I mostly have unpaid/volunteer work experience. :(

[RainbowFanGirl]

I'm work at a clothing store so I get discounts. :)

[Anonymous]

Good take!

by the way I've been looking for a job and I can't seem to find any (I live in a small town). What jobs do you think I could apply for? I'm 16 by the way

[KittieCat]

How the hell do you have time to get a job lol. I can barely balance my schedule as is lmao

[W31rd0]

You make time.

Get yourself a Google Calendar. You can use a regular paper calendar, but I like to use Google. You can always change it, if you make a mistake. In Google, you add in your daily routine of tasks, like your school/work schedule and wake-up time and bedtime. You also add in appointments and meetings. If you have any extra time left, then you should fill those spots in with productive activities. Make sure that all your activities support and reinforce each other in some way. If you are doing something that requires a lot of mental work, then you have to eat some food that will stimulate your brain, like fresh fruit or a bowl of fresh cucumbers.

[KittieCat]

@W31rd0 Already do that. All I'm saying is between a serious school work load, extracurriculars, and staying healthy, I have 0 time for a job

[W31rd0]

In your situation, then, that is very good. Your résumé suggests that you are college-ready.

In college, you still have time to get a job. Jobs offered to college students may be minimum wage, but they can help pay for tuition. You can apply for work-study and get scholarships.

[Kuraj]

This only applies if your life goal is to become a cashier.

[W31rd0]

Actually, employers do look at your work and volunteer experience. A cashier job builds customer service skills or people skills, which can be transferable to your dream job. Making good connections with your supervisor may get the supervisor to give good recommendations for future employers.

[Anonymous]

16 and I don't got a job because my anxiety and me always worrying would get in the way too much.

[W31rd0]

You should tell this to your parents. Under ObamaCare, you qualify for your parents' health insurance right up to your 26th birthday. Some private employers may be willing to pay for the health insurance of dependents. With health insurance, you may be able to seek counseling services. Please get help ASAP. If you wait too long, then you'll suffer the consequences of anxiety, which can be lifelong and debilitating. Do it while you are wrong. You don't want to be 26 years old, not entitled to your parents' insurance, and have mental issues.

[W31rd0]

*young

Why did I write "wrong"? Sorry. Typo there.

[Opinion Owner]

I did go to therapy for about a month and then the insurance stopped funding it. It happens a lot apparently because I watched as my new friends left the program, not because they were ready, but because their insurance thought they were based on how long they had been there (about 2-3 weeks). What I dont get is how they think therapy can fix 13-40 years (going off the ae of people I met there) of anxiety.

[Opinion Owner]

age*

[W31rd0]

Sometimes, if you don't have the money, then you have to put matters into your own hands.

You have to eat healthy and environmentally-sustaining. Avoid processed foods. Avoid sugary and fatty foods and drinks. Avoid meat, eggs, fish, and dairy consumption. Eat a wholesome, wholly plant-based diet for nutrition. But then, you may have to take vitamin supplements, so you don't get vitamin B12 deficiency. Proper nutrition and exercise may help alter your brain chemistry, which may mitigate anxiety.

[Opinion Owner]

Sadly thats the exact opposite of me and I pretty much only eat processed foods. Trust me i'd love to change to eating better things (recently started eating chicken tenders so its a start) but I have a sensory disorder that affects 3 of 5 of my senses including taste which makes it hard for me to even try new things let alone like them : /

[W31rd0]

You may want to lower your consumption of meat products and increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruits are typically sweet and juicy. They are like candy of the natural world, which makes sense, because they are made to attract animals to spread their seeds through dung. Fresh vegetables add a lot of fiber to the diet. You can eat a lot on celery, feel full, and not gain much weight. :)

[Opinion Owner]

actually im naturally skinny so I am underweight or average but I would try that and I have but my sensory disorder is what is keeping me from doing it

[Nik1hil]

One take every teenagers before 15 should read

[Iamathinker]

Definitely on point!

[Waffles731]

Good take