Building your future career: a part-time job, no matter what the duties, can be valuable to your career development - special feature

Career World, Oct, 2003 by Mark Rowh

Sooner or later, most teens think about taking a part-time job. Unless you're independently wealthy, or you're too busy with sports or other activities, chances are you too will consider it. But have you thought about just how part-time employment might enhance your future career prospects?

"It's very important for high school students to hold part-time jobs," says Steven Rothberg, president of CollegeRecruiter.com, an Internet career site. "Simply put, those who do, accomplish more."

He says students who work become better at time management and their grades may actually improve. Work experience can also be a plus in the future when you're applying for college admission or internships, as well as a job in your chosen field.

"Your work attitude and behaviors begin with your first job," says Arlene Vernon, a human resource consultant and owner of her own personnel firm in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. "It is your first exposure to the work world, and the place to start shaping your view of employment. As a student, an employee can learn everything from the importance of reporting to work on time to how to work alongside other employees, and more."

More Than the Income

Shalanna Herbert, a New York high school student, notes that her part-time job offers more than just a chance to earn some extra money. She works as a media administration assistant for Pierce Mattie Public Relations in New York. Her work includes tasks such as assembling press kits, preparing mass mailings, copying press releases, and answering the phone. "Working here is a very valuable experience," she says. "I want to pursue a career in public relations, and starting at a very young age will help me."

Even if the work does not relate directly to a given occupation, any work experience can be valuable from a career development viewpoint. "A part-time position gives you the opportunity to learn job-related skills such as working with others, planning and organizing, and using analytical skills," says Barry Miller, a career counselor at Pace University.

Jeannine Fallon, a corporate public relations director who held several part-time jobs while in school, says that virtually any job helps teens develop important traits. "A part-time job provides opportunities to learn about the expectations the real world will have for you," she says. "These include responsibility, reliability, focus, application of skills, and respect for others, including superiors."

"Think about your part-time job as a chance to learn real-world skills, no matter what type of job you have," Fallon continues. "Telemarketers can learn valuable lessons about communication and customer satisfaction; file clerks can learn about office organization; camp counselors can learn about teamwork and juggling priorities."

The Right Job for You

While it is not always possible, a smart approach is to take a job that ties in with personal or occupational interests. "It's a mistake to randomly look for a job just for the paycheck," says Julie Jansen, author of I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Gratifying Work. "Instead, think about the big picture--how this job might look on your future resume."

According to Jansen, a special advantage of working while you're a student is that you don't need to conform to someone else's opinion about what kind of career you should follow. "This is one of the few times in life when responsibilities are minimal," she says. "You have the chance to experiment--with limited negative repercussions."

Also, work experience helps students prepare for later challenges. "Holding a part-time job while I am still in high school has allowed me to grow as a person," Shalanna says. "I am more independent and responsible, which is preparing me for the real world."

Consider also the knowledge to be gained. "If possible, it is important to consider how much you can learn instead of worrying about how much money you'll earn," says Miller. "Can you be an apprentice to a successful person in your field of interest?"

As an example, he cites serving as an assistant to a network news professional. "You may do [grunt] work, but the professional teaches you the ropes of the business," he says.

Miller describes a teen acquaintance who works as a dog groomer. "She is interested in possibly pursuing veterinary medicine," he says. "She knows that when applying to vet school they look at prior experience with animals."

Of course, getting a job is not always easy. Sometimes, your choices will be limited. "It is important to be open-minded about the opportunities available to you," Fallon says. "Especially in a down economy, you may not find an obvious career-related job, but any opportunity can be a valuable learning experience, and can lead to something else."

Making the Most of Work Experience

Once you begin employment, be sure to use the experience in paving the way to the future. If you perform well in one job, it can help lead to other jobs later. "If you connect with your supervisors, if they respect your work, if you stay connected with them over the years," Vernon says, "you now have a reliable source for employers to contact as professional references."