As the holidays approach, many teens are considering taking on part-time jobs to put extra money in their pockets, leaving parents wondering whether they should give the go-ahead to after-school and weekend work.
These guidelines for teenagers and parents can help them decide how best to balance work and school.
- Maintain high standards for school work. At this age, school must be your teen's main job and first priority. Teens are building the base of knowledge, skills and experience upon which their future careers will depend. If good grades come easily, however, the benefits gained from a high-quality work experience could be valuable without hurting school work.
- Help them choose a high-quality work experience. Work experiences can teach time management, responsibility and professional skills. But these kinds of benefits are often found in more high-quality school-to-work programs or pre-professional jobs--not at most burger joints. Choose wisely with an eye to future interests and careers. After school jobs can help prepare your teen for jobs after school.
- Be prepared to “pull the plug” on employment. Before beginning a job search, agree together that if the job lowers grades, your teen must find a less demanding job or “retire” until summer.
Before making a decision, families may also want to check a National Consumers League report on the five worst teen jobs. A recent list includes the following five categories:
- Agriculture, Fieldwork, and Processing
- Construction and Work in Heights
- Outside Helper: Landscaping, Groundskeeping, and Lawn Service
- Driver Operator: Forklifts, Tractors, and ATVs
- Traveling Youth Crews
Editor’s Note: For additional information please e-mail us or call (800) 832-2464.