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Teen Job
How do you know if your teenager is ready to balance the demands of school with employment?
A job requires a certain level of maturity. Adolescents who work during the school year must know how to prioritize and manage time effectively — skills not every teen (or adult) can master. If your teenager is having trouble keeping up academically or already overwhelmed with school activities, then it’s probably not the right time to add a job to the mix. For self-reliant students who manage their schedules well, a part-time position is worth considering. Take an honest look at how your son or daughter is handling household and academic obligations.
“Do they deal with their responsibilities at home, both to the family and in terms of their schoolwork?” asks Judi Smetana, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. “Do they do the chores they’re expected to do, follow curfew, get their homework done without a lot of pushing? All those things are signs of maturity.”
Your teen should understand that a job is a major time commitment. This could mean making sacrifices, such as limiting time spent on social media or missing out on activities with friends. “There are trade-offs,” Dr. Smetana says.
It’s important to establish ground rules before your son or daughter begins working. Stress that schoolwork has to remain the top priority. When will homework get done? Is there a specific grade-point average that needs to be maintained to keep the job?
Decide together how the paycheck will be spent. “I think it would be really smart of parents to say that some of it should be put aside for things like college, for the future,” Dr. Smetana says. Create a budget and set goals for spending and saving.
Teenagers need structure and support, so make your expectations clear upfront and praise them often for the effort.
How many hours a week can your teen handle?
When school is in session, New York State law allows minors ages 14 and 15 to work up to eight hours per day on weekends (between 7 am and 7 pm). Employees ages 16 and 17 are permitted to work four-hour shifts on most weekdays and up to eight hours per day, Friday through Sunday (between 6 am and 10 pm).
Legally, adolescents can work a maximum of 28 hours per week during the school year, but what can your teen realistically handle? A study conducted by the University of Michigan found that high school students who worked long hours were more likely to suffer from poor grades and substance abuse problems. Dr. Smetana agrees with those findings. “Part-time jobs, particularly in things like the fast food industry, actually have a negative effect on teenagers,” she says.
So how much is too much? Jerald Bachman, the lead author of the Michigan study, says teens should limit their weekly part-time job schedule to 15 hours or less. Previous research published in The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy showed that grades actually improved among high school seniors who worked up to 15 hours per week, but the GPA steadily declined as the student added additional hours.
What kind of work is best?
Many local businesses depend on teenagers to fill part-time slots. Positions in restaurants, supermarkets, retail outlets and movie theaters are popular options, but before your teen commits, make sure the situation is a good fit.
Some questions to answer before your son or daughter accepts a job include:
• How late is the establishment open?
• Will your teenager be alone at any point?
• Is an adult staff member always available?
• Consider safety, will there be duties performed or equipment used that might be unsafe?
• Does your teen have a reliable way to get to work?
• What benefits does the employer offer (such as college scholarship opportunities or a letter of recommendation for college applications)?
“Take some time to research companies to ensure they are the right fit,” says Karen Loughlin, a human resources manager at Wegmans Food Markets, “and flexible enough to allow a student to also focus on school and extra-curricular activities.”
What are employers looking for?
Trying to land a first job can be intimidating and many adolescents are uncertain how the process works. Typically, the first step is filling out an application, in person or through the company website. Candidates are then contacted for an interview, by phone, in person or both. “We look for people (no matter their age) who are enthusiastic, show a desire to learn and grow, and want to serve others,” says Loughlin.
That first interview can be a nerve-wracking experience, but preparing ahead can boost confidence. Loughlin advises having a family member, friend or teacher help the student prepare. “Practice the basics, like maintaining good eye contact and speaking with confidence,” she says. Discuss some of the skills your teen can share with a hiring manager, such as commitment (good grades), teamwork (athletics) or public service (community activities).
Every adolescent is different, and ultimately the decision to let your son or daughter accept an after-school job is a personal one. Take the time to discuss what type of position would be best, and set an appropriate limit on the number of hours worked each week. Check in regularly to confirm your teen is not overwhelmed by the demands of school, activities and a job. Quantity and quality – the amount of time spent working and the type of employment — play the biggest roles in a positive work experience.
Julianne Pierce is a freelance writer focusing on health, parenting and pets. Originally from the Rochester area, she now resides in New York City.
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