Thinker's Chronicle

Benefits of a Summer Job for Teens

Are you the age of 14 or above? Do you have a desire to learn new things and broaden your experiences? Do you believe you treat others with fairness? I apologize if this sounds like a repetitious brochure, but if you have the qualities above, a summer job might be perfect for you.

Though the summer of 2023 is coming to a close, there are still opportunities that can be pursued for the next summer in coming months! While it is very reasonable to want a lazy vacation from school where you constantly look at electronics (trust me, I’ve been there), I thought I would introduce why these kinds of seasonal jobs can be worthwhile through proven findings and my own involvement.

Working Gives You A Sense of Community

When you are employed at a position, you have ample opportunities to meet people who work alongside you, with similar interests, hobbies, backgrounds, etc. This allows you to not only build professional connections, but even find friends that you can talk to outside of work. Plus, you can learn important people skills that will serve you for other positions for the future. Many permanent endeavors might find your connections and expertise useful as you apply what you learned from many years past, and even put them on your resume to advocate how they helped you in the professional atmosphere.

Finally, being part of a company means that you can have a lasting impact on those you work with. If you work at a summer camp or part-time at a library for example, you can change the lives of both children and adults you meet. If you have an internship or position in a business, your work ethic can positively influence the growth of the company, allowing them to succeed and for you to succeed as well.

You Manage Your Time Well

As my job first started, I knew it would be quite the transition from taking more time to wake up during the summer to getting up at 7:30 am. Nevertheless, I was ready for the challenge. Once I got more used to starting my day early, I prepared everything the night beforehand to ensure I could get there on time. When we have a weekly routine, not only do we value the concept of time better, but we also become more responsible.

For any job, in any season, part-time or full-time, these skills are beyond necessary, because they not only show you appreciate your position, but that you are a good employee as well.

Time management allows you to be more confident, sufficient, and stabilized, and the more practice you get with a summer job, the easier it is to get into a repertoire during your professional career.

You’re Given Chances To Explore

Since we are still young, it might not be possible for us to figure out now what we would like to pursue as we grow up. We may indulge in fantasies about being lawyers in our favorite TV show only to work in a law firm years later and realize it is not for you after all time has passed. Hence, when you are still in high school or college, it can be advantageous to find something that suits your interests and see if it floats your boat. If not, you have plenty of time to find other positions in other time periods that may work better for you in other fields.

For someone who is really stuck, you can choose something very broad or any type of job to see what fits as well. On the other hand, if you are looking for just an addition to your resume, there are plenty of opportunities for that too! You have the flexibility of finding different options and catering to your needs.

You’ll Earn Your Own Money

Last but not least, there is always an excitement one gets when they receive their first, second, or even tenth paycheck. Being productive and independent are two things that PAY off very well as you keep working. You should be proud of yourself! Once you’ve gotten your salary, there is a certain respectable feeling knowing that you are now in control of your finances. This means that you become more careful over what you spend, but become less dependent on others to buy things that you really want. Want to buy frozen yogurt with your friends? You can now do it with your own money.

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Practicing fiscal responsibility is crucial at a younger age as prep for the later world when you get a more permanent salary. Being able to spend on what you like, what you need, and say no to what isn’t necessary are vital skills that even adults can find hard to master. That’s okay, however. The more implementation you get, the more results will be reaped.

To Sum Up..

While summer is undoubtedly a time to take things at a relaxed pace, having a summer job will give you the tools to engage in many activities and explore as you expand your expertise. You can meet new people, boost your resume, gain connections, give back, and learn effective planning. Along with this, you can be fiscally strong and adapt opportunities to your needs. If you want to find a way to have your future self thank you, then having a summer job is it! You can always apply for the next season, and everything you’ll learn is for the person you’ll become!

Arshia Manoj