Teen jobs: why you should get one

In early October of 2022, my mom brought up that it was time for me to get a “real” job. I had been in various programs and “mock” jobs, like working at a summer camp through First Teacher, a program through the Boston Public Health Commission, and as most teens do, babysitting. My original plan was to work at a nutrition cafe called Cada Dia. The owner told me that she would give me a job there later in the year, but unfortunately, the cafe ended up closing. My mom and I walked down Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, looking for “Help Wanted” or “We’re Hiring” signs. To be honest, my main motivation for getting a job was the money. I wanted to have a constant source of income that I could rely on and one that would build up over time. I went to multiple businesses that were hiring, but none of them felt like what I was looking for. We continued walking and I recognized a business I’d been familiar with since I was a child. “The Blue Frog Bakery” on Green Street in Jamaica Plain is very small but mighty in downtown JP. It’s been open for almost 20 years, and as soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to work there. I went in and asked about the job, and they said they were looking for a kitchen assistant to help with dishes and small tasks. This was exactly what I was looking for — I wouldn’t have to earn money by helping my dad with his work or babysitting.

I brought in my resume, (which my mom helped me build), and the owner emailed me about three weeks later asking about an interview. The interview was quick and easy, and I went in for a trial day and eventually took the job. Working at the bakery has been a great learning experience not only in a culinary sense, but I’ve also learned how to manage my own money. Money management is a great skill to have, and learning about it as a teenager can guide your future financial decisions and success. Having a job as a minor is crucial to developing skills that will help and come in handy later in life.

In Dianna Miller’s “Teen Employment has Many Benefits,” she writes that “when teens choose to have a job, employment teaches responsibility and good work habits, improves time management and organizational skills, and helps them save money.” These time management skills can contribute to time management in school, possibly preventing procrastination or bad use of time. Having a job is somewhat fragile, so you sometimes have to change your daily life around it. For example, I used to stay up very late on Friday nights because I would have nothing to do the next day, but now that I have a job that requires me to wake up at 6:30 in the morning, I am more responsible for managing my sleep. Another example of time management connecting to a job would be balancing academic work and your job. In Massachusetts, Minor Labor is very limited and has many restrictions. For example, during a regular school week, minors under the age of 16 cannot work more than 10 hours that week. This makes balancing

Time management and organizational skills are two very important skills to have, but having a job can lead to other things that can support one’s future, like obtaining references. Miller writes that “working also gives teens an opportunity to establish contacts with adult employers that can serve as future references.” This is extremely crucial in advancing your career, because a reference shows that you were efficient in your previous job and are capable of advancing a step forward.

A more obvious advantage of having your job is earning your own money. Earning money not only teaches lessons on money management but also empowers you and gives you a sense of independence. (WebMD) Having your own money also allows you to make more decisions on your own. When looking for a job, you don’t have to immediately look for jobs that pay more and are more labor intensive. Instead, getting jobs like a dog walker, a dishwasher, or a barista is less physically demanding and still pays decently well. When getting a job as a minor, you shouldn’t expect to be paid very high, but that varies based on the job. Most of my friends around my age (15) that have jobs make minimum wage or just above. As you progress and get better at your job, your pay will likely increase.

When looking for and getting a job, it’s important to realize that it will come with sacrifices. This could be spending less time with friends, postponing fun occasions, or having to wake up early. For me, it’s waking up early. I’m not a morning person at all, but my job requires me to wake up at 6:30 in the morning on the weekends. There are times when I’m waking up and just think “it would be so easy to not go to work today and just sleep in,” but then I realize that comes with consequences. If you get a job that requires you to work after school during the week, it will be harder to find time to do homework and complete assignments. If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll have to work harder to find time to complete your work without conflicting with your job. Other extracurricular activities can also interfere with your job. You may have to sacrifice some practices, and possibly even games if you play a sport or other important events for your activity. I’m lucky enough to have a boss that is willing to adjust my work schedule around games, but you may not end up in the same position.

Although getting a job can be very beneficial to a teenager, some people might believe that teens should spend their time on academics, rather than work. Having a job does take up a lot of time and can be tiring, and some may believe that working on your grades is more important.

Even though grades are important, having a job is a great experience that can teach you a lot of things, not only for life but for yourself. I’ve already learned plenty of things myself, and I’ve only had a job for around six months. Even if you feel like you can’t or won’t get a job, just remember that there are plenty of options and opportunities out there and you will eventually find the right fit. Having a job as a teen is crucial to developing skills that will help you succeed and progress not only in your career but in life.