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.
Kim Oates, 18, of Jacksonville, Fla., found her job when a friend mentioned that her mom's salon needed a receptionist. "Working in a salon fits me well, since I love sampling the products, seeing people's transformations, and keeping up on the latest styles and trends," says Oates. She checks clients in and out, handles a computerized appointment schedule and cash register, makes reminder calls, does shampoos, and assists the stylists with mixing color and perm solutions.
"I've learned a lot about giving customers what they want," she says. Oates has honed marketable skills in keeping clients happy, staying organized, and working with a team of people. She's even thought about getting a cosmetology license as a way to earn money for college.
PLAY YOUR CREATIVE CARD
Teens who are looking for more than a 3 to 7 p.m. commitment might want to start their own small business in babysitting, landscaping, Web design, or graphic arts. "Get creative," says Webster. If you have a talent and find yourself using it frequently for friends and neighbors anyway, maybe it could help you earn some cash.
Greg Katz, 19, a freshman at Johns Hopkins University, went into business with his best friend when they were high school sophomores. "We wanted some extra income, but we weren't really interested in having a boss and doing it the traditional way. So we sat down and brainstormed what we could do to make money," says Katz. The duo decided to use their computer skills and launched K&R Computer Repair in North Caldwell, N.J.
They experimented with different advertising methods, from flyers to direct mailings, and built up a client list. "Any problem a person has, we can take care of it; we do upgrades, software installation, cleaning a computer virus, fixing an Internet connection," says Katz.
By identifying problems they were able to solve, Katz and his friend built a successful small business. During high school they charged $35 an hour but recently raised their rate to $50. This year they incorporated (became legally recognized as a business) and hired employees to keep the business going while they are away at college.
Katz, who is leaning toward a political science degree, hopes to keep his company going after college and well into the future. "We always felt the best Option was to go into business," he says. Though starting a business was much more challenging than getting a part-time job--business owners must handle taxes and payroll, for example--he feels the payoff has been worth it. Katz and his partner have earned more money than they would have made working for an employer--and they've set the wheels in motion for their future careers.
YOUR BOTTOM LINE
"The more experiences you have, the better," says Rosengart. If you don't find something you love or have a passion for right out of the gate, keep trying. Sampling a variety of jobs is a great way to jump into the work world. Don't be afraid to change your mind either. Your likes, dislikes, passions, and interests evolve as you mature, head through college, or enter adulthood, says Webster. Remember what you wanted to be at 6, 8, or 12? Chances are, you have probably changed your mind many times!
"And don't just look for jobs that pay the most money," says Webster. Everyone wants to live well and drive a cool car, but we all have talents, the potential to serve others in a positive way, and passions that we can develop even in a part-time job.
ON-THE-JOB TIPS
* ASK QUESTIONS. You'll be surrounded by professionals with experience in their field. Talk to them about their career path during free time, advises Sharon Rosengart, director of career services at DeVry University.
