Encouraging your teenager to get a summer job often helps them build a sense of responsibility, understand the value of a working dollar, and learn the consequences of being unemployed or underemployed. The type of summer job you encourage them to pursue will depend on what you want them to gain from the experience.
Some families believe it’s important for their teenager to experience hard work, often in minimum-wage jobs, to gain perspective on what it’s like to get up and go to work, even when the job isn’t enjoyable. However, many modern psychologists argue that this isn’t the best approach, unless there’s a specific reason for it—such as helping your teenager overcome a negative attitude toward minimum-wage workers or their tendency to be rude to service staff like cashiers and gas pump attendants.
Other people prefer to start their teenager off in the working world by offering them the opportunity to work in a field they’re likely to enjoy, or even by helping them start their own business. Lawn care businesses, for example, tend to do well in the summer. However, such businesses often lack clients without the proper equipment.
For an ambitious teenager, there are plenty of exciting job opportunities that match their talents and enthusiasm. Unless you live near one of these fantastic jobs, your teenager may need to spend their summer vacation away from home. These jobs range from internships at zoological parks to positions as an MTV correspondent or even as a kids’ host on a cruise ship. Some of these positions are open to a wide range of applicants, while others require specific experience. Fortunately, with the rise of online platforms, these opportunities are much easier to access than they were when the later half of Generation X was growing up. Websites dedicated to helping teens find summer jobs are plentiful, and one particularly helpful site is Get That Gig.
Important Considerations Before Pursuing a Summer Job
Before allowing your teenager to set their heart on a specific job, be aware that some positions only offer experience and may end up costing you money rather than relieving you of it. Sometimes experience is more valuable than a paycheck; other times, the paycheck is more valuable. It all depends on your child, your circumstances, and what you hope they’ll gain from the experience.
Teens with a lot of experience in a particular sport can often offer their services as an assistant coach. While they must be willing to work with younger children and demonstrate their knowledge of the sport, many teens find coaching to be a rewarding job. Depending on the sport, it can also mean a decent paycheck with relatively few hours required.
For responsible teens aged 16 and older, completing a Red Cross certification course can open doors to lifeguard positions at local pools or along the eastern seaboard’s beaches. This is only a job for teens who understand that their primary responsibility is to ensure safety—not just to work on their tan. Parents need to critically assess their teen’s maturity before encouraging them to apply. Most lifeguard positions require passing a swimming test before a teen can apply.
Talk to your teenager about what motivates them—money or prestige—and help them find a job that provides a well-rounded experience. Ideally, this job should allow them to learn the value of earning money while also challenging them to grow and discover something new. Avoid encouraging them to work at the local grocery store just because that’s where their friends work. It can be tempting for teens to let their friends influence such decisions, but it’s more important that they value the experience of working than spending time with friends. Most teenagers aren’t mature enough to work with friends while maintaining professionalism.
So much happens between the ages of 14 and 20, and your teenager will change in countless ways during this time. They may start a summer job loving it, but by the end of August, they could be counting the days until they return to school. That’s normal. Allowing your teenager to explore various jobs from summer to summer isn’t a bad idea. However, jumping from job to job within a single summer could prove detrimental when they enter adulthood, as they won’t have the option to quit a job just because they lose interest.
Working during the summer can be an invaluable experience for your teenager. Understanding their strengths and helping them build on their weaknesses will guide you in selecting the right jobs for them to apply for. Putting too much pressure on them to land the “perfect” job can lead to resistance. Instead, be supportive and encouraging, and let them know how proud you are when they land any job. This fosters a good work ethic and helps them develop into adults who can take care of themselves.
