Life Lessons Teens Can Learn from Having a Summer Job

My 16-year-old recently landed his first part-time gig working at the local aquatic center this summer! I must admit, I’ve enjoyed watching him take on more “adult” tasks like preparing for an interview, corresponding with his prospective employer, getting a background check, and even taking a drug test. Those are some real-life lessons, right there. So, it got me thinking there are so many benefits from having a summer job that help teens as they transition into adulthood. Not to mention, he will be able to pay for gas😉

Here are just a few life lessons that your teen can learn from having a summer job:

Accountability.

Teens gain many new skills at a summer job including time management and commitment. They also learn important communication skills and how to work with a variety of people. Having a job also helps them develop an employment history they can eventually take into the adult working world.

Human relations.

Working and getting along with coworkers and customers are skills indeed. Your teen may discover that not all people work seamlessly together at first. Or they may find that customer service isn’t their thing. Figuring out how to handle conflict in a direct yet respectful manner will serve them well in high school and beyond.

Financial responsibility.

When teens earn their own money, they gain more appreciation of its value and the fact that it must be earned. A paycheck helps teens begin to more carefully weigh their decisions to spend money responsibly. The nitty gritty of money management is an important life lesson and being in control of their own purchases helps them learn how to budget and plan out their finances.

Confidence.

When teens work, they feel empowered. A summer job gifts them a sense of accomplishment and personal achievement. It also helps them slowly break free from the parent-guarded environment and helps pave their way into adulthood.

Insight.

A good summer job can give your teens valuable insight into what they may want to do after high school. They may discover they love working with groups of people, or perhaps they’ll learn they’d rather work on their own. They may even find out they’d like to own their own business someday.

Motivation.

Summer jobs give teens “real world” experience. If your teen realizes the jobs out there aren’t what they had hoped, they may decide to go ahead and pursue a college degree or technical training. A summer job can help motivate them to apply for more challenging and better paying jobs down the road.

A Summer Job May Not Be the Right Fit for All Teens

Even though having a summer job can be beneficial to teens, they’re not all ready to join the work force. Here’s some questions to ask if you’re teen is ready for a summer job or not:

Can they manage their time well?
How are their communication skills?
Do they seem to have a solid sense of what’s appropriate in different situations?
Are they a team player?

As an alternative to a summer job, you can encourage your teen to consider a volunteer job instead. This is also a great way to gain valuable experience working with others. They’ll gain new skills and learn to manage their time just the same. Teens can seek out volunteer opportunities at local shelters, animal rescues, nonprofits, or community service programs.

If your teen starts a summer job, remember that working is a new experience. Be supportive and check in with them often.