At some point, your kids are going to start working. For some of you, it might be a lot sooner than you would think. All three of my kids just worked most of the summer- the oldest in babysitting, but she also worked at a local farm stand part time, and the younger two both did some small jobs here and there for folks in town. We feel it’s important for kids to start to learn both the value of money but also the importance of saving and prioritizing that money as early as possible. Our son had a goal to build his own computer this summer, and worked really hard to earn several hundred dollars to do so. It made us really proud to see him set a goal and meet then exceed it! Now, at just turned 13, he has a few more things he’d like for his computer but he’s also started saving for his own car for when he turns 16.
What We Should Teach Teens About The Working World
If a teenager gets into the working world without knowing what to expect, they can end up making some costly mistakes and getting into bad working situations. For that reason, here are a few things you should teach them from a guest author when they’re looking at their potential first job.
How to manage their money
It’s all too easy for a newly working teen to end up spending every penny they earn the moment they earn it. That is their right, of course. However, it’s also a teaching opportunity to help them take control of their personal finances. Learning to budget, to save, and to put money towards long-term objectives will indisputably help them be more financially conscientious in the future.
There are a few essential ways you can make sure your child doesn’t get taken advantage of. Find out how old do you have to be to work and make sure they aren’t being hired before then, as those employers will typically get away with whatever bad practices they can. Otherwise, ensure that they know they have a right to get paid for their work, a right to overtime, a right to not be harassed and a right to not be discriminated against.
How to be a good employee
Aside from avoiding being taken advantage of, your teen should learn how to get ahead in the workplace, as well. Lay down a few rules that they should always try to follow if they want to be a great employee, such as being punctual, being respectful of colleagues and customers, and being able to a) do what they’re told and b) respond to feedback without taking it personally. Another great tip is not to have friends visiting while they are working!
Don’t spout off about the job on social media
Kids nowadays will turn to social media to complain about just about everything. There’s nothing to say that whatever grievances they have are not valid. However, not only might their current employer look at their social media history, but future employers might do it too. Complaining about the job on social media is an easy way to reduce your chances of getting hired by anyone in the future. This isn’t just about workplace complaints- it’s really important to teach kids from a very early age about being aware of your digital footprint and understanding that things may not ever be fully gone once posted.
It’s a value that some teenagers have had for years, while others haven’t really cared enough about anything in their life to develop. However, when they get their first job is the perfect time to teach them that work comes before play. Delayed gratification is one of the most valuable skills for getting anywhere in life and it is essential that it’s learned sooner rather than later in life.
Finding a job they care about
There is a difference between finding a job that is financially fulfilling and one that is actually fulfilling. It’s crucial to give your children as many options for careers as possible. Whether they want to be a crime analyst because they saw something on TV, or they want to be an accountant, make sure they know what doing the job is really all about. What we think a job is like can be very different from the reality. So finding something they care about is more important than chasing after the money, because it leads to a more fulfilling life.
You can’t teach your teen everything about the working world. There are some experiences they’re going to have to pick up for themselves. However, there are some ways you can try and steer them into a healthy working life and that’s what the above tips are for.