A great way to instill responsibility and really help your teenager mature is with a part time or full time job. Not only are they earning a paycheck, but they’re learning valuable life lessons that they’ll need as adults. Many teens will take pride in their work and this will cause a noticeable change in their behavior. My son just got his first job at a local amusement park. He can’t wait to get up and go to work each morning.
One of the first things I noticed after he was working for a week was the change in his demeanor. It is like he grew up over night. With the responsibility of getting himself up and ready, driving to work, and doing a great job the shy boy he once was has really started to change. It is amazing what a little responsibility and money can do for a teenager. My son saves 1/3 of his check and uses the rest for bills and weekly expenses. I know he loves the freedom of getting to buy things he would otherwise ask us for.
Fun First Time Jobs for Teenagers
Local Ice Cream Shop
Locally owned and operated ice cream shops often offer part-time work for teens during the summer. Teens are likely to get evening shifts when adult staff members are home with their children. This is part of learning experience and the importance of flexibility in schedule. This is a fun job where teens get to see their friends briefly, as they come to get a frozen treat.
Amusement Parks
While the job positions are slightly limited for teenagers at amusement parks, there are a few options available. Most of these options include working as ticket takers, at gift shops and in the concessions areas. These jobs also come with perks and discounts, so your teenager is more likely to keep a job like this. The same applies to teenagers working at local fairs and festivals as well. I know my son is LOVING his job and the 50% off food and merchandise, not to mention free tickets to over 100 other parks included Bush Gardens, Sea World, and more!
Summer and After Care Camp Staff
Summer camps for younger children often seek teens as counselors, activity assistance and just as extra hands on deck. This is a good job for teens that are active, like to be outdoors and enjoy working with younger children. Many times these jobs can convert into after care positions once school begins.
Movie Theater
The movies is a great way for kids to deal with the public and enjoy working with each other. They can work the ticket booths, concession, or ushers in the theater. If they are lucky they may even see a great movie or two.
While getting started in the summer gives the company and your teen more flexibility don’t let that stop them from keeping that job into the school year. Our amusement park is open year round, and here in Florida it is always fun to stop at your local ice cream shop. Credentials like this do help students get into good colleges as well as obtain better full-time employment upon graduation.
Dandi D says
These all sound great and I wish I could have done some of these as a teen.
Rosie says
Those are fun jobs. Most of us kids worked on tobacco fields, you could start age 14, they paid $1 per hour and you left the house 4:00 in the morning to take a bus out to the fields, then I’d walk home 2 miles with black gum on your hands and would go to bed early. We thought it was great fun, we had fun on the bus, etc., it was hard work, though!
Rhiannon Rowland says
My oldest first job was at a meat locker. I thought he wouldn’t last a week, it was such a gross job. But he did great and even moved up the ranks quickly. He even loved to come home and tell me gross stories like stepping on an eyeball from a pig or carrying 20 dead deer from one room to another. My youngest had not yet had a job yet,but it is coming up soon.
Christina Almond says
My first job was actually at an assembly line at a makeup factory–maybe not quite fun but my second one was as a cashier at a grocery store and I really thought that was pretty fun! Lol! Our town is small but I think that working at the local coffee shop here would be fun. 🙂
Laura J says
Oh that first job is always so fun! I remember when my son started his first job, it was at the bowling alley! He loved it so much! Its really stuck with him, he goes to bowling nationals every year, and just got his 5th 300 game!
Brenda says
My daughter also had her first job this summer, at Legoland. She enjoys the paycheck, and after offering, she saves the rest for college. However, she doesn’t like the opening shifts, which start at 5 am.!
Terra Heck says
Glad to hear your son enjoys his job! My two boys worked a few weeks this summer detassling corn. It was hard, laborious work but they loved the paycheck.
shelly peterson says
I think it’s great for teens to get at least a part time job, it teaches them so much. My first job was in High school working at the mall in a cookie shop.
Amy Orvin says
Those are all great places for a teen to work. I just wish I saw more enthusiasm from the kids around here. Anytime I visit a place with teens, they are so grumpy and depressed looking.
Birdiebee says
These are some great first jobs for teens. My oldest daughter’s first job was in an ice cream shop. She loved this job. All of my girls worked really hard at their first jobs.
ellen beck says
Around here the first job is detassling corn or walking beans. Its actually good money and seasonal. Most kids can sign up through the school as many teachers contract fields.
CR Williams says
Thanks for sharing, will keep these in mind.