Do any of you have children who work while doing high school? Is it paid or volunteer? How did they find their jobs?
Christine

My son (who is a senior now) works part-time and has ever since he turned 16. I think he actually started when he was 15, but we found very few employers who would hire 15-yr-olds. He even had trouble at 16 and 17, but it was a little easier finding work then. He started out working at an auto repair shop where we take our vehicles, and know the owner. It was very part-time (about 9 hours a week) but a good way for him to get started working. He worked for a roofer for a while (also a friend) but that really didn't work out. Then he worked at a retail specialty store for a short time, and now he works at Target. He got the first retail job because his girlfriend worked there and knew they were hiring and recommended him. He got the Target job just by putting in an application (he put in lots of applications at lots of places!) and then going in for an interview. We've had a few obstacles to overcome, like them not understanding homeschooling enough to realize that he doesn't have to do school during set hours. He'd much rather work days and do his school work in the evenings. That would work well for him, but until he turned 18 they wouldn't let him work during "school hours", which we soon found out meant public school hours. There is a form that public school students can get from their principle or guidance counselor, giving them permission to work during school hours, but the laws for that pertaining to homeschoolers or private school students is different (I won't go into detail on that, unless anyone is interested). So it worked out better for him to just work afternoon/evening shifts until his birthday. Now that he's 18 they'll let him work whatever hours he wants even tho' he hasn't graduated yet (7 more weeks!!)

He's also done a lot of volunteer work, mostly through church. My daughters have also done volunteer work but haven't had paying jobs yet. I'm not even going to have them try to get a job until they're at least 16, and maybe older. My son has enjoyed having a job (and having an income) but it has caused some problems with getting school work done, so we'll probably try to avoid some of those problems with the girls by delaying their getting jobs until they're a little older, or maybe limiting them to working only on Saturdays or during the summer or whatever.
Lori

Hi Lori,
Thanks for all you contribute to the board!
I agres it's a challenge to find jobs for teens. Anyone have any other ideas for getting them gainfully employed?
Blessings,
Christine

My daughter's love is horses. The stables where she pays for riding time has mentioned to me that they would like to hire her to clean stables and prep horses, not for pay, but in exchange for riding time.

My older boy bagged groceries and stocked shelves at a small natural food store by our home when he was 16. He worked there until he became a department manager and has now moved on into a different industry.

This is such a tough call! I'm so tempted to just let my girls enjoy one of their last summers without major responsibilty, but I also know that if they aren't busy, they're pretty loony.
One volunteers at the hospital one day a week, but they like to be busy. Tough choice.
Thanks for sharing,
Christine

My girls have a 50 hour per year volunteer requirement for our homeschool for high school. I think volunteering not only builds leadership and character but prepares them for the work world It also builds them a resume' too.
My daughters like to volunteer at the library where I work (okay, so I'm blessed on that one) but libraries are a great place to gain volunteer hours.
I believe first jobs can have a large impact on where a child believes they can go with a career. Think beyond the burger... I've told my girls to think of any career they think they would like to have, and lets find a way you can volunteer somewhere in that field. I'll let you know how it goes this fall.

Hi Hope,
Think beyond the burger! Ha! I love that!
Let's throw out some more volunteer and/or job ideas here. So far, my girls have volunteered at an animal shelter, a large hospital and a convalescent center - all good experiences.
For working, they have babysat, worked in an ice cream shop, and worked in an art store warehouse putting together school supply kits for the public schools.
Come on, let's share some more ideas!
Christine

My oldest has worked in the IT Dept at church since he was 16. He has also volunteered with the missions dept, gone on a couple of domestic mission trips taught some adult computer classes...
14s is wanting to intern at the missions office but I don't think he's ready.
Two daughters work with the ballet teacher helping with classes in exchange for lessons. 12d has also been a Mother's Helper.