Can you recall a job you had as a teenager that you didn’t care for? I worked at a pool supplies store one summer. From my then 17-year-old perspective, this job was — plain and simple — the equivalent to Chinese water torture. Pool supply stores are swamped preseason. By July, business seemingly slows to a snail’s pace. I must have dusted the same shelf five times one day. In retrospect, I realize that this retail job trained me to work well with customers. I also learned critical workforce skills, such as dependability and time management.
Maybe the summer job your teen just landed isn’t ideal or only pays minimum wage. However, what matters most is that she will garner many skills and start to build connections.
Always give 100 percent!
“It doesn’t matter what type of job your teen gets this summer. Their employment is going to give them a priceless gift of learning accountability, responsibility, and building character,” explains Sue Scheff, founder of Parents’ Universal Resource Experts and author of “Wit’s End: Advice and Resources for Saving Your Out-of-Control Teen.” “Whether you are a cashier at Burger King or a greeter at Walmart, you are an essential person and your employer is depending on you.”
Teens need to embrace two behaviors: reliability and accountability. When teens accept a position, they are promising to be dependable and to help maintain the positive reputation of that business in their local community. Many teens will venture far from the communities they grew up in, but local business owners still have to pay the bills and send their own teens to college.
Your teen is also building her own reputation, and her employer is a potential recommendation for another job in the future.
“Any door that opens in life is an opportunity,” says Scheff.
Develop skills
“If your teen lacks the skills of being responsible in life, it could hinder his chances at keeping employment,” Scheff warns.
The following is a list of universal skills teens develop no matter where they work:
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Creativity
• Communication skills
• Dependability
• Flexibility
• Self-confidence
Scheff advises, “Encourage your teen to be part of a workplace, because it will build his self-worth, which is more valuable than a paycheck.”
Improve resume
College admissions officers know that full-time students who work in their spare time have learned important skills they need in college, such as time management. These applicants are expected to handle challenging, college-level curriculum because they have already kept a demanding schedule.
Teens should think about skills potential employers are looking for when developing their resumes. For instance, if you work at Macy’s, you might list visual merchandising as part of the job description. The following are typical tasks with savvy descriptions:
• Helped boss with new website — technical assistance and website development
• Helped new employees learn the ropes — job training
• Priced items for sales racks — inventory management
• Organized games at summer camp — supervisor for athletic activities
Of course, when teens do a phenomenal job, stellar recommendations follow.
Value of a dollar
“Your teen will gain self-confidence while earning his own paycheck. Even at minimum wage, it is gratifying to know you’ve earned it yourself,” Scheff explains. “Earning their own money will make them appreciate it more.”
Working teens learn the value of a dollar, especially when parents insist that they pay for frivolous or extravagant purchases with their own money. If they realize that the $120 pair of sneakers is equivalent to two days of work, they might think twice before making the purchase.
Scheff asserts, “Encouraging teens to stay focused on school is always a priority; however, learning life skills with a summer job is also part of preparing for their future.”
Tips and tales
“Both of my girls work while in college. They budget their money for extra spending.”
Monica Schaeffer Metty, Pleasant Valley, NY
“Employment teaches work ethic, which seems to be a thing of the past for many young people today.”
Keith Naccarato, Olivebridge, NY
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Myrna Beth Haskell is a feature writer, columnist and author of “Lions and Tigers and Teens: Expert advice and support for the conscientious parent just like you” (Unlimited Publishing LLC, 2012), available at amazon.com.
