Beyond the mall: great jobs for teens are out there—learn how to make one of them yours!

Career World, Oct, 2005 by Jennifer Nelson

Mallory Gray is figuring it all out. She doesn't quite know exactly what her future career will be, but she's on the right track. The 17-year-old from Springfield, Mo., has already had two fairly unusual part-time jobs. "I really just wanted to get a feel for different things," she says. Last year, she groomed, exercised, and showed horses at a thoroughbred auction. Today, she works part-time as a food-service technician at a hospital, where she delivers food trays to patients. She's also picturing herself building a career in health care.

Mallory thought about being a doctor when she was little and still thinks it could be an option. Her part-time job is helping her decide. "Even though I specialize in food and nutrition, I'm still around doctors and nurses," Mallory points out. She watches how medical professionals do their jobs; she interacts with patients and has learned her way around a hospital--things that may help her decide on that medical career. "I know it isn't as glamorous as ER on television, but I could still have fun with it and help people," she says. Pediatrics and surgery are two areas she's now considering.

WHY WORK NOW?

More than half of high school seniors, 56 percent, said they worked in the spring of their final year of school, with most earning minimum wage, according to a study by the University of Washington. Nationwide, about two out of five teens ages 16 to 19 hold a part-time job. Retail gigs and burger joints are the jobs teens have traditionally gravitated toward, since they're close to home, convenient to school, or often the only options available. But if, like Mallory, you're exploring your future career options or simply want to work with something you have a passion for--cars, for instance--there are opportunities to bust out of the box.

"Whether you're bagging groceries, working at an amusement park, or painting houses, it's never too early to start honing marketable skills and building a strong resume," says Sharon Rosengart, director of career services at DeVry University in North Brunswick, N.J. Rosengart suggests taking on as much responsibility as possible and finding creative ways to get the most out of your part-time, after-school, or summer job. If you are enthusiastic about your work, aren't afraid to put your originality on display, and step up to the difficult tasks no one else wants, you'll earn the respect of your employers--and they can help you with networking and provide references later on.

HOW PART-TIME PAYS OFF

There are serious benefits in any part-time job: First, you'll make your own money (cool for sure), but you'll also be responsible for deciding how to spend and save those greenbacks. You'll need to make decisions--for example, do you really need another lip gloss or a pair of expensive tennis shoes? Or should you save up to buy a car or to pay that cell phone bill due at the end of the month?

"Another thing that's valuable is gaining soft skills," says Rosengart. These aren't technical skills required for your job but all the other things your day-to-day work may involve--like written and verbal communication, dealing with customers, handling money, putting people at ease, managing your time, relating to someone who may not speak English well, or dealing with kids.

John Gaeta, 17, of St. Petersburg, Fla., is gaining a lot of important skills he can use in the future. He's put his love of water and swimming to good use by taking a lifeguard certification course and snagging a job at an area pool. Lifeguarding has taught John about dealing with the public, communicating well, and handling daily responsibilities. "At any second, someone's life may be in danger and I have to act quickly to ensure their safety," he says.

John has learned how to react in tough situations--rowdy kids, unhappy patrons, people who need to be put at ease quickly. He notes that his lifeguarding job "has given me good experience working with others and taught me how I need to respond calmly but differently in every situation." John is interested in a career in sales--and he knows the skills and experience he's gained as a lifeguard will be useful in almost any career.

HOW TO FIND THAT JOB

If you're prowling for a cool part-time job, start by writing down your skills, talents, strengths, weaknesses, hobbies, likes, and dislikes, says Jeanne Webster, author of If You Could Be Anything, What Would You Be? A Teen's Guide to Mapping Out the Future (Dupuis North Publishing, 2004). That list can help you determine the kind of job you'd be most happy doing.

Then it's time to spring into action and find that job. Think about the businesses you and your family use most often: veterinarians, accountants, repair shops. What skills do you have that they could use? Once you have a specific job idea in mind, contact the businesses and offer your services.

Network with people you know. Let everyone--parents, friends, neighbors, your brother's friend's dad--know that you are looking for work. Make sure you tell them the kind of job you're seeking.