Jobs for Teens

Believe it or not, there are many, many jobs you can find or create. You have more choices than just working at McDonald's or babysitting. Here are lots of ideas, a few of which might appeal to you.

• Pet-sitting. When someone in your neighborhood goes on vacation, there's often a pet that needs looking after. Also, with people working longer and longer hours these days, some will pay you to visit their pets during the day and take them for a walk.
• Working for your parents. If mom or dad owns a business, they might be able to use your help. Even if they work for a company, they may be able to hook you up with a part-time job there. (Check with your parents' friends, too.)
• Tutoring. Some teens report that they earn anywhere from $5 to $20 per hour tutoring. If you're good at a subject, you may be able to earn money by helping others to understand it.
• Lifeguard. In some parts of the country, there are shortages of lifeguards. Some have been earning $10 per hour or more. If you have the skills needed, consider this option.
• Camps. If you look into it early enough, you can line up a job at a summer camp -- you might work with kids, tend the grounds, prepare food, or do any of a number of things.
• Jobs matching your interests. If you enjoy working with young children, see if any daycare centers near you need help. If you like the great outdoors, check with your local parks department. If you like movies or recreation, look into movie theaters or amusement parks.
• Mowing lawns, raking yards, shoveling snow, gardening. These can all be part of the same job. Once your customers know you and the good work you do, they may use your services doing other jobs in other seasons.
• Department stores. A big perk with these jobs is that you often get to enjoy employee discounts (which can be substantial, often 20-30% off) and commissions on items you sell.
• Create websites. If you know enough about computers to create well-designed websites, you can make some good money. Many small companies and organizations pay thousands of dollars to have websites built for them. You might charge very little at first, but once you have a few impressive websites to show potential customers, you can hike your rates. Some small companies might also pay you to help maintain their sites, adding content, and solving problems that arise.
• Be crafty. If you enjoy arts and crafts, you might make jewelry or other items and sell them -- perhaps on eBay, where you'll have instant access to a large customer base. Some painters and photographers are making money selling their work online, too, although that can be harder to do.
• Serve the elderly. Not only might you find work in a nursing home or retirement community, but you might also serve older people in your neighborhood. Many older people can't get around much. They may welcome your services delivering groceries, running errands, or doing odd jobs around their home.
• Be a computer guru. Many people buy computers and have a lot of trouble setting them up and trying to use them. Even if you have an intermediate familiarity with computers, you might offer your services as a local computer consultant. You can set things up, solve problems, answer questions, teach programs, and show people how to send and organize email, upload digital photos, buy something on Amazon.com, use Instant Messaging, and conduct online searches (with Google or other search engines).
• Caddy at a golf course. This not only helps you learn more about a sport you might enjoy, it also gives you the chance meet a lot of adults from whom you might learn more about the business world. They could be turn out to be valuable connections that help you land other jobs.
• Delivering newspapers. If you sign up to deliver a lot (which may be more possible in areas with apartment buildings), you can make a good bit of money. Some teens make $100 or $200 per week or more.
• Use your skills. Think about what you're good at and try to teach others -- adults or children. You might offer piano lessons, horseback riding lessons, or Spanish lessons. Maybe you can juggle and entertain at children's birthday parties. If you play an instrument, perhaps you could play at weddings or other events. If you write, you could try to sell articles to magazines or newspapers.
• Volunteer! If all else fails, or even as a first choice, consider volunteering. Don't just do the first thing that pops into your mind, though. Be a strategic volunteer. Think of a field or company you'd like to learn more about. If you're really concerned about hunger in the world, volunteer at a food bank. If you're thinking about becoming a doctor (perhaps one who treats the elderly), consider volunteering at a hospital (or a nursing home).