Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I started at 14. I would say 16.

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I started babysitting at 10 (it was a different time then though), delivering pennysavers on Sunday mornings at 12. Started busing tables at 13 and waitressing at 14. Since 12, I have never been unemployed -- even while in school. I always had at least one if not two part-time jobs.

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I would say 16 since that's when most places will hire you.

My sister is 16 and manages school, work, several extra curricular clubs in which she holds titles, and does about 7 dance classes.

It is possible. I will certainly push my kids to do the same. I think it is important to establish a good work ethic.

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

16

Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I think it depends on the kid. If they're 16 and vegging out doing nothing after school and weekends--they should get a job. If they carry a heavy coarse load and several other extra curricular activities, I wouldn't push it.

My first "real" job was at 16. I also babysat at 13...and there's no way in hell I would leave a 13-year-old with my own kids!

Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

Legally...once I got my working papers at 14 but I was working at a dry cleaner off the books at 13. And even at age 11-12 I was baby sitting.

Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I started at 13 working in my church rectory. I worked throughout the school year, not just the summer.

I would say my kids will have to be doing something by legal working age. I don't want them to think that they can just lounge and hang around while we open our wallets for them when they want things.

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I am definitely the outlier here.
my first real job wasn't until freshman year summer of undergrad. so I was 18.

I applied for jobs at 16, but never got a callback.

o well. at that time my focus was on getting good grades so I could get a scholarship to college, which I did.

by the end of undergrad, I was working 5 separate PT jobs while managing a full course load.

so I don't think having a job at an early age is indicative of work ethic. I think it really depends the kid and the focus.

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

Mine was at 17, but I commuted an hour each way to Manhattan for high school so there were not many extra hours in the day.

But throughout H.S. I was an intern for a punk record label downtown so I gained experience there. Unpaid, but it was a cool gig and they could work with my hours of availability.

Back in the day when an indie record label could afford to have a storefront and recording studio in NYC

Message edited 4/13/2017 5:14:42 PM.

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I started babysitting at 12 or 13 and worked as a camp counselor starting at 13 or 14. I tutored in HS and was an assistant instructor for tennis lessons after school a few days per week. I had my first office job during the summer before my senior year in college. I didn't work during the school year in college or law school.

I'm fine with kids focusing on school work and extra curricular activities during the year, but I think they should be doing some type of work at least during the summer in HS.

Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I started babysitting at 13. I had my first paid job at 15.

I think a kid can get a job at 15 or 16 depending on what their school work and sports load is like. A kid who is involved in multiple sports just may not have the time for a "real" job in addition to school work and sports.

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I did jobs in the neighborhood for cash through my teens (babysat, watered plants & dogsat while people vacationed, etc.). My first on the books job was at 17, the summer I graduated high school.

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I think 14 or so. I think it's good for kids to work. Not too much that their academics suffer though.

Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I got my first job at 14, when I got my working papers and began working at my local library. It taught me work ethic, responsibility and money management. I think at that age, only working a few hours a week should not interfere with their school work

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

The legal kind of job, where you have to fill out a w-2 that is 16.

The MOMENT I turned 16 I got a job.

I was babysitting at 14.

I was shoveling driveways at 12.

Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I was a paid pet sitter while in elementary school!! so 8,9...

oops to answer kids can shovel in the winter and garden in the summer as a job.

by 13-15 something, babysitting, pet sitting, anything

Message edited 4/14/2017 6:34:43 PM.

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I was babysitting at 13, but that was only occasionally. I started working in retail at 16, and started working a full-time office job with benefits at 19.

I'll expect my kids to have part time jobs by 16.

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

16 or 17

I started babysitting at 13/14 and had a summer job at 16.

Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I was 15, with working papers. Are teenagers still expected to get jobs while studying in HS?

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I babysat from 13-15 & then began working at a store at 16 so I'm going to say 15-16 as long as grades don't suffer. A lot of my friends only worked in the summers first as CIT's & then counselors throughout HS & college. I feel like their grades didn't suffer & mine did slightly since I worked year round.

Message edited 4/14/2017 2:02:01 PM.

Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I was 14. I got my social security statement and I have been working for 21 years!

Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I think by age 15-16 kids should be working. If they can't work during the school year because of course work then they should definitely be working summers.

I started babysitting really young and had my first real job before I was even 16. Worked all through high school and college. I think it's so important to have your children learn responsibility and good work ethic young, plus for me if I wanted certain things I had to work and earn them.

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

Is that easy to get a job at 15-16? Especially if you live in a smaller town & don't have a car? I had a lot of trouble finding a job in HS, and didn't work until I was 19 & home from my first year of college.

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I've tutored since I was 14, and I started babysitting at 19.

I think I should have had a little more work experience earlier on to learn how to handle money better.

Re: Spinoff: what should age of 1st job be by?

I was babysitting by age 14 and making good cash

I graduated HS 6 months early..Just turned 18 and worked part time with my best friend doing telemarketing at some janitorial supply co. I worked there for about 6 months until I got a job as a camp counselor that summer.

so I guess I was 18 really when making an official paycheck with an employer.

I worked all through college and my senior year was working two part time jobs.