Summer Job?

<p>I was surprised to read on a couple of cc threads, comments suggesting that "a summer job might be a good idea or maybe she/he should just relax after all her hard work." Here H and I had been feeling guilty because we discouraged D from any part time work during HS because her schedule was so busy. Once things slowed down after the applications were done and the last of the Campuses were visited, we started encouraging her to apply around town. I'm happy to report that D is now doing hard time down at the mall. It seems to me that there are things to be learned from a "real job" that help bring general life and college course work in particular into focus. I would also be a bit concerned that a summer spent on the couch and partying with friends could make dedication to academics in the fall difficult. </p>

<p>I know that there are lots of valuable things to do with one's time that don't earn a paycheck but ....</p>

<p>I was surprised to read on a couple of cc threads, comments suggesting that "a summer job might be a good idea or maybe she/he should just relax after all her hard work." Here H and I had been feeling guilty because we discouraged D from any part time work during HS because her schedule was so busy. Once things slowed down after the applications were done and the last of the Campuses were visited, we started encouraging her to apply around town. I'm happy to report that D is now doing hard time down at the mall. It seems to me that there are things to be learned from a "real job" that help bring general life and college course work in particular into focus even if there is plenty of money to pay for college. I would also be a bit concerned that a summer spent on the couch and partying with friends could make dedication to academics in the fall more difficult. I know that there are lots of valuable things to do with one's time that don't earn a paycheck but ....</p>

<p>So, here is my question. Are you encouraging your teen to get a job for the summer? How important do you think it is?</p>

<p>Encouraging? I am insisting. Either that or she quits shopping.... how many pairs of shoes does one girl really need to own?? </p>

<p>Anyway, this kid desperately needs to make the connection between work::money.</p>

<p>My D wanted to get a summer job and we encouraged her to apply in early April, as we thought jobs would not be available if she waited too long. We definitely want her to work this summer. The problem is, she was just hired on the spot a little over one week ago by a place she applied to about six weeks ago, and now she has to schedule herself to work in between all of her senior activities that are taking place within the next few weeks (which are not optional). She is a very conscientious person and feels awful about having to put in for so many days that she can't be available right after being hired, but it is unavoidable. I don't know if there is a way she could have avoided this stressful situation.</p>

<p>Well, they knew she was in High School when they hired her, didn't they? I'll bet this happens every year. Working is great but afterall, she is not sacrificing on the way up the career ladder. </p>

<p>Actually, it's not a bad life experience when you think about it. She cares about coworkers, wants to be thought well of, learns to stand up to pressure from the boss. I think that you should let her know how proud you are that she is able to say no to the pressure. The compliance of childhood won't serve her well as she enters her adult life.</p>

<p>Not a parent, but I'm a graduating senior. I will be working as a cabin counselor at a residential camp this summer. I'll have close to two weeks off after I graduate and another couple afterwards, before college starts, which is plenty of time to relax. Still, much of that will be taken up by packing and moving (my family is actually buying a new house, so that's one move at the beginning of the summer, and then another to college), and shopping.</p>

<p>It does teach me valuable lessons, most of what you've already said, and I truly enjoy being a counselor--that's why I am sacrificing higher pay I could receive at a non-camp job. I can't imagine what I would do for the next three months if I did not have a job. I suppose I could still volunteer, and honestly, I know I'd enjoy that. Being a counselor for inner-city kids is still satsifiying, though. But although all of those are reasons for me to work, I'm mostly working for the money. I'm paying expenses in college, I want at least some $ in savings, and I'll have plenty of loans to pay back. I might as well start now.</p>

<p>My parents insisted that I get a job when I turned 16 and I wanted to as well, but I was picky about what kind I wanted. I wasn't going to be a waiter or a cashier. I ended up being a dishwasher, which actually paid more than fast-food. That job definitely showed me that going to college is worth it. I'm in my 4th year of college and I spend summer doing engineering internships. Hopefully I can take a weekend vacation this year. Haven't been on a vacation since 2000.</p>

<p>I have a cousin who will be graduating from high school this month. He never had a job in his life and he has no intention of going to college. His mom (single parent) is partly to blame because she didn't have a steady job for most of his life and never instilled in him the quality of having a good work ethic. So he has turned into a lazy bum. I hope he can get his act together.</p>

<p>We have never allowed our kids to have a job during the school year (absolutely no time!), but we have definitely insisted that our kids have a summer job. They need to take on the responsibility of paying for some of their expenses. We have told them that we will try to manage the tuition, room and board at their colleges, but they are supposed to buy their own books, and pay for entertainment, dinners out (away from campus) and sundries. They recognize the need to contribute to their own education--and we are very proud of them.</p>

<p>My son worked part-time during the year--about ten hours a week. It was his choice-- to pay for gas for his old clunker. He also used some of the money toward his new trumpet.</p>

<p>He will definitely be working all this summer. It might be nice if he could have some time off after a hectic school year, but we cannot afford to send him to college any other way. He has to do his part. It would be nice if he could attend a music camp or some such thing, spend hours a day practicing his instrument, study theory and piano, etc. But our finances just do not allow it. I am happy for those who do have options, however.</p>

<p>What are some good suggested summer jobs?</p>

<p>My older son worked for a temp agency the past two summers and was kept busy almost the whole time, so that is what my younger son plans for this summer. (I think you have to be 18 to work for them, but not sure.) Jobs can be hard to find in our area, and son #2 has already spent one summer doing fast food and another working in a dog kennel. That was enough of those!</p>

<p>From grades 8-12 I worked at a grocery store for 10-15 hours per week. This includes the school year as well as the summer. That money paid for my first car.. as well as a lot of concerts and CD's.. haha.</p>

<p>For my first three years of college, i had an on campus job for 5-10 hours per week during the school year, and i worked a summer job for about 40-50 hours per week. this money went towards anything that i'd need money for such as vacations or school supplies and whatnot.. it also paid for the downpayment on my new car.</p>

<p>for my final year of college, i worked 30-40 hours per week in september and october, and have been working about 5-10 hours per week ever since then. </p>

<p>all of this money earned goes towards things such as car insurance, car payment, gas, food, entertainment, cell phone, books, presents, etc.</p>

<p>tlaktan - typical summer jobs available around here:
ice cream scooper at local shop
grocery clerk
bell hop
landscape worker - for company, golf course
waiter/waitress/busboy
retail clerk
camp counselor
day-camp counselor
not commonly available, but great: assistant teacher in summer enrichment programs
lifeguard</p>

<p>These are all simple "real world" jobs, to make some money. Not "career-boosting" in most instances. </p>

<p>Like others, we have not wanted S to work during school year - being a good student is his "job." But summer work is invaluable for pocket money, savings, and character-building.</p>

<p>Summer employment is not an option at our house- it is required. My D must pay for her own auto insurance and gas--she got her younger bro a job with her this summer so they can split the cost of gas as well as hang out together..(guard and cashier at local pool). During the school year D has a babysitting job that keeps her in spending money. She can study (or not) after kids go to bed. The babysitting $ is tax free so she likes that!</p>

<p>my older daughter did volunteer work at the local zoo from age 12 to 18 working with ponies :)
This gave her experience to get a summer volunteer job at a residential camp with horses, until she was old enough to be riding staff.
She was staff for a few years, until she decided to take a CC class summers to cut a tiny bit back on workload at college. Then she worked at science related summer camps- flight museum- naturalist at city beach- this summer she will be working at a private elementary schools science camp.
Her sister has begun to follow in her footsteps volunteering at the zoo, but her hours are much fewer- just one weekend day during the school year.</p>

<p>The best kept secret job is still baby sitting. No set hours beholden to a supervisor like in fast food or retail, down time to study,pleasant surroundings with stocked refrigerators,off the books, and clean bathrooms and TV!
D still (21 and aboout to graduate from college) takes babysitting jobs from two neighbors when she is in town. Two former employers also helped her get "real " jobs over the years, one office type job and one in an eye docs office where she received really valuable training.
S (HS junior) works at his hockey rink as a timekeeper/stat keeper for a certain league..off the books and only Friday nights and Sundays where it doesnt interfere with school work/EC commitment.Because the league director has a rosterof kids, S can say yes or no depending on his commitments..once again,not beholden to the fast food/retail time schedule.A secret..he too sometimes babysits..more likely will be the one at "home" to meet elementary kids bus if parent not able to than sitting in the evenings.</p>

<p>How much do people charge for babysitting nowdays?
D earns about $15 an hour working in an after school program- and a few parents have asked her to come to their house for child care on weekends- but I had no idea what to tell her to charge.
I haven't had to hire child care for years- it helps when your kids are 8 years apart :)</p>

<p>My S was lucky enough to get a job for an upscale department store, doing stock and cashiering, the summer between soph and junior year. It was an eyeopener in so many ways. He was around older kids, most of whom were already in college; and adults who were not teachers or family friends. He was never a kid who spent lots of money but he really learned the value of money that summer, when he realized it would cost an hour's pay for a decent lunch. Other purchases were suddenly measured in time it took to earn that money. But best of all, it gave him many insights into what he wants to study and do for a career, and how to be successful in the work world. He got a great college essay from the experience and it helped him refine his interest in business - which went from I want to make money to I must work for an organization and/or sell a product I truly believe in. A one week (40 hour) internship at a major company also helped him figure out what he wants to do - which is to use business and commnication skills to help people, perhaps at a political organization, a nonprofit or a company that sells a product or service he truly believes will help people. It all started at that job in the stock room.</p>

<p>My view is a little different. While I would have loved for my kids to have worked during the summers, it just didn't happen. D wanted to attend some music programs and S some camps for his sport. We also wanted to take a couple of family trips. Jobs for high schoolers in our community are scarce, and most won't accomodate the time off for the trips etc. Since our kids attended boarding school, we really wanted their time to be flexible in the summer so we could have some family time. D worked after her senior year in high school at Interlochen all summer and also did that after her freshman year in college. S, finishing his junior year, has yet to work except for the occasional lawn mowing and pet sitting. The demands of his sport are great, and I tend to consider that his job. So- the work is one thing my S has yet to experience.</p>

<p>MomofWildChild- good for you- I too relish family time- since my 3 go to public Hs and are involved heavily in sports, we make sure that the 4 of us have "family game night" a few nights a week before bed. With hectic schedules, this is usually nothing more than a couple of hands of euchre--or a REALLY FUNNY game called "iMAgiNiff" ,which I would recommend as a great grad gift..would be fun in a dorm. </p>

<p>EmeraldKity4- my D sits for a family with a youngster who has some serious health issues and they pay her very well. Most jobs around here are 7 or 8 bucks per hour---that's in Ohio. My friend in Md. pays 10 bucks an hour for one child. I babysat all through hs and college. If ever I needed money I could call one family that sort of adopted me and they would go out so I could sit, even if they had not planned to. I went on summer vacations with 3 different families in hs to watch kids while parents golfed or sailed, etc. Fond memories----good role models for me that were much needed.</p>