Summer is quickly approaching and with it the opportunity for work. Does your teen want to find a job?
While my daughter was at training for her summer job, I was thinking about the many benefits being employed as a teenager offers to our children. My teenagers have started working officially when they turned 16, before that they had odd jobs for neighbors or friends.
Our children honestly never needed prompting to get a job. They were always eager to work and start earning their own money. Yet the gifts they have received have gone far beyond monetary rewards.
So often the focus for our teenagers is making sure they are college-ready. However, we are doing them a disservice if that focus doesn’t allow them real-life work experience. In fact, the skills they learn while working will only benefit them in college.
7 Benefits to Working as a Teen
Responsibility
Working gives teenagers a real-life opportunity to learn responsibility. Showing up for work every time you’re scheduled, even on days when all of your friends are doing something fun teaches you responsibility.
People Skills
Working gives your teenager valuable people skills. From serving customers to working along side co-workers to meet a common goal, teenagers learn:
- Communication and how to deal with difficult people
- Customer Service
- How to work well with others
Work Experience
Many college graduates are passed over for employment simply because they don’t have experience. Work experience is crucial when going up against other qualified job candidates. Working while still in high school gives your teen:
- Work experience for their resume
- The opportunity to cultivate good work habits
- Practice filling out job applications
- Needed interview skills
References
Good references are extremely important to landing the job your after. Employers and co-workers can give your teenager much-needed references in the future.
Time Management
- Balance – Learning to balance work and other commitments is a necessary skill many struggle with. You can help your teen learn to balance work and life well.
- Prioritizing – Having a job can teach your child about priorities and help them examine how they are spending their time.
Money Management
If you have a teenager you know how quickly their expenses can add up. Having a job allows them spending money and gives them the opportunity to help with some of those expenses.
Spending their hard-earned money may make them think twice before making certain purchases. It’s also a great time to develop habits of giving and saving.
Confidence
Finding a job and working can help your teen become more independent. Learning new skills and developing a good work ethic will also give your teen confidence.
These are only some of the benefits teenagers receive from working. As your high schooler prepares for college or career, this Checklist for College and Career-Minded Teens will help them navigate the process with confidence.
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Shannan is a wife, mum, and saved by grace child of The King. Her home base is in Scotland, where she homeschools her two kids (ages 12 & 15) and learns on location throughout Europe as much as possible. She is a classical/Charlotte Mason style home educator living out her God-breathed dream of raising her family in Europe. She’s passionate about many things, especially helping others learn on location using the world as their classroom. She encourages you to pursue your God-breathed dream, no matter what it is! You can join her at Captivating Compass for homeschool and family travel inspiration.
