Nontraditional Job Opportunities for Your Teen

The school year is winding down and your child is looking for some spending money. Many will apply at businesses that traditionally hire teens, like fast food restaurants and grocery stores. Usually, there are more applicants than positions and competition can be fierce. In areas where adult unemployment rates are higher than usual, teens may find themselves competing with adults for these minimum wage positions. It may be time to steer your child toward some less traditional opportunities. Increase employment possibilities by exploring more unusual jobs.

Your teen's career interests may lead to job possibilities. Check with businesses that do the kind of work your child is interested in. They may have intern or apprentice positions to fill. Your student worker can get a feel for the job and try it out in a low-level position. Smaller businesses and locally-owned operations tend to have the most latitude in hiring a few younger workers.

Landscaping and lawn care businesses generally need seasonal workers just at the time when high school students are looking for jobs. If your teen enjoys outdoor work, gardening, and similar tasks, check these businesses. Farms often hire teen workers, as well, to pick crops, de-tassel corn, or bale hay. Riding stables may need trail ride leaders and helpers to care for the horses. The local park department may hire young workers to assist with upkeep or help with summer programming for younger children.

Construction firms often hire young assistants in the summer since their business picks up dramatically when the weather is nice. Teen workers may find positions with carpenters, roofers, or contractors, and will learn valuable skills as they earn their spending money. These types of jobs can lead to more permanent work after graduation if that is what the child wants.

Many summer camps hire teens as counselors or counselors-in-training. Look around the outskirts of your town or in the local phone directory to find camps that operate during the summer months. Some camps serve special populations, like the disabled, ill children, or those from difficult circumstances, like children who have lost a parent or who have a parent in jail. The camps generally have trained adult staff persons who make planning decisions and are primarily responsible for the campers' well-being, but teen assistants are often hired to be those extra pairs of hands that help the program run more smoothly. In addition, many camps hire kitchen and grounds-keeping staff during the summer season. These positions are often open to teens, but they may involve living away from home for extended periods of time.

A visit to your local library will help you find out if they hire teens for shelving books and simple clerical duties. Many libraries hire these young helpers to do tasks such as checking books in and out, light cleaning, and assisting the librarian in a number of other ways. Other businesses may hire teen assistants during the summer, as well, including veterinary offices, the animal shelter, or churches.

Childcare can be a good field for interested teens to explore. In addition to the traditional teen job of babysitting while parents enjoy an evening out, many families now search for teens to watch the children during working hours. Working parents often have childcare arrangements that work well during the school year but don't allow for the change in schedule during the summer. The caregiver can accommodate the child after school for two hours until a parent gets home, but cannot take the child in for the entire balance of the day. Your teen might be able to fill this gap during the summer.

Does your teen have a skill to share? Some are ready to give piano or other kinds of music lessons, tutor younger students, or teach various craft skills. Teens who teach others lay the groundwork for later careers in education or hobby classes. Other teens may have a talent that can be exploited for cash. Young artists, for example, may be able to pick up work decorating mailboxes or making crafts to sell. Many towns have small festivals that allow artists and crafters to set up tables to sell their wares for a minimal fee. Writers might be able to submit work for publication at magazines that cater to young people. Best of all, these entrepreneurial undertakings may help your teen develop the business skills needed to launch a real business someday.

Summer employment can be a real opportunity for your teen to develop work skills, earn spending money, and mature into a young adult. Summer jobs can help your teen explore career options and try out jobs without a long commitment. Even if the job market is tight in your area, there are options to explore. Your teen is not limited to the local fast food restaurant or grocery for job opportunities. In fact, many of these nontraditional jobs can be stepping stones to adult positions. It's a win-win situation!