Jobs help teens appreciate the value of a dollar.
Part-time jobs provide teens with cash they don't have to beg, borrow, steal or stomp around the house to get from their parents. Beyond that, part-time work gives teens a distinct advantage in life. In October 2009, the Wall Street Journal reported a Stanford University study found "those who do not work as teenagers have lower long-term wages and employability even after 10 years." A job that doesn't interfere with schoolwork and that your teen enjoys could be of enormous benefit for you as well as your teen.
Customer Service
Restaurants that serve alcohol may not allow your teen to work as a server, but he can still be a busser, host or cashier. If your teen has a flair for fashion, she could work in clothing retail--these jobs usually don't pay much, but many teen girls may see 20 hours a week in a mall as a major perk, especially if they get mall-wide discounts as employees. Casual, laid-back teens could fit right in behind the counter of a hip coffee shop, where they earn more base pay than food servers and can also earn tips. Budding cineastes should apply for jobs as ushers and ticket takers at local movie theaters.
Entrepreneurial Work
Teens with talent for arts or crafts can set up shop online, either by creating their own websites or setting up a store within a social networking site. Your adult friends and family may enjoy getting in on the act, buying your teen's wares and promoting her work to their friends. Outdoors enthusiasts can mow lawns, rake leaves and provide landscaping services to people in the neighborhood. If your teen is computer-savvy, she may make some extra bucks helping clueless adults in the area set up websites or fix their computers. Teenage animal enthusiasts might promote themselves as dog walkers or pet sitters.
Summer Jobs
If you sent your child to summer camp when he was little, you may yet be able to enjoy peace and quiet now that he's a teen--suggest he apply for a job as a summer camp counselor. With some training, your teen could also be a lifeguard, getting paid to sit in the sun and read magazines when no one's drowning. If you live near an amusement park, your teen could have a great time working in one of the many positions it offers young people.
Volunteer Work and Internships
Money might not be your child's main motivation to work. Companies and organizations sometimes offer internship opportunities that don't pay but could give your teen professional experience in a field that interests her and could lead directly to employment opportunities in the future. If your teen has a passion for helping others, volunteer work through a local church, shelter or community center could give her a sense of purpose and fulfillment--and will also look good on college applications and resumes.
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