Having a part-time job during high school can be a rewarding experience for many teenagers. Working as a teenager allows for greater financial independence, and also teaches new skills and work ethic. However, landing a job as a teen is not always a straightforward process.
“A lot of jobs are looking for somebody the age of 18 or older,” Margaux Rocha, a Berkeley High School junior, said. Nell Harte, a sophomore at BHS, encountered the same problem. “A lot of places tend to hire more college students,” Harte said, “(High school students are) in school a lot of the time and only can really offer certain time commitments. People don’t want to hire someone who’s not going to be able to work there full time.”
Harte had started searching for a job during March of 2024. With help from a writing teacher, she built a resume detailing her positive work qualities such as her understanding of technology and people skills. A difficulty for Harte was approaching a business, presenting herself to strangers, and asking if they were hiring. She was able to overcome her feelings of nervousness by shifting her mindset. “I was there to offer my skills and I realized that rejection is okay,” Harte said.
Harte didn’t give up. Two months later in May, she found a job as a cashier at a local farmer’s market, working Saturdays for six to eight hours. Throughout the job search process, Harte learned to have more confidence and not be afraid to advocate for herself.
Rocha tried to lean into her strengths as a water polo player and swimmer, aiming to get a job as a lifeguard. “I kind of already had the upper hand on learning (as) it’s a water based job,” Rocha said.
To become a lifeguard, Rocha had to get her lifeguard certification. To get certified, she participated in two days of training with seven hours each day, and then completed a 20-question multiple choice and written test at the end. Rocha also put together a resume describing her skills of leadership through being a leader in Girl Scouts and her experience with kids through babysitting. She applied to different lifeguard positions, eventually landing a job in Richmond. On a typical week she works around five hours.
Another way teens are able to find jobs is through networking. Networking, simply put, is the process of making connections and building relationships.
Lila Dooley, a sophomore at BHS, found a job through networking. She works as an assistant at a small pottery studio named Brushstrokes. Dooley’s mom met the owner of Brushstrokes through a yoga class. From there, Dooley’s older sisters got a job at the studio, and eventually Dooley did too. The studio provides a place for individuals to paint and work with pottery, and also offers classes and camps teaching pottery and other art forms including mosaics and glass working.
Dooley has been working there for almost a year now and has developed a sense of connection to the studio. “I’m really comfortable with the people there, and my friends work there as well. It’s definitely a very homey place,” Dooley said.
Dooley typically works one or two days on the weekends. She likes to spend her hard earned money by eating out and buying clothes.
Despite the challenges some teens have to overcome during the job search, through this process, they can learn to network, self-advocate, and investigate different job opportunities and gain valuable learning experiences and increased independence.