by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
Most studies show that teens who work part-time or summer jobs gain valuable
experiences that help build both educational and job-related skills. Working helps
teens build self-esteem and independence, while also learning time-management,
team-building, and communications skills.
Teens of all ages can work, and this article provides a quick overview of the types
of jobs and employers for both younger and older teens.
Remember to review the more detailed advice, tools, and resources available in
our Job and Career
Resources for Teenagers section of Quintessential Careers.
Jobs For Younger Teens
- Baby sitting service
- Car-detailing service
- Catering service
- Cleaning service
- Educational tutoring service
- Errand, messenger service
- Freelancing service
- Online Web business
- Painting service
- PC tutor
- Pet sitting service
- Yard maintenance service
Typical Teen Employers
- Summer Camps
- Fast Food Restaurants
- Grocery Stores
- Retail Outlets
- Municipal Park & Recreation Services
- Local Government Summer Programs
- Assisted Living Facilities
- Hotels, Resorts
- Clubs
- Movie Theatres
- Lawn/yard maintenance Services
- Tourist Attractions
- Retail Stores
- Small Businesses
- Corporate Offices
Typical Teen Jobs
- Administrative Assistant
- Amusement Park Attendant
- Baby-sitter/Nanny
- Bellhop
- Busboy/Busgirl
- Camp Counselor or Counselor-in-Training
- Carpenters Helper
- Cashier
- Computer Programmer
- Construction Helper
- Copy Machine Operator
- Counter Attendant
- Data-entry Person
- Daycare Assistant
- Delivery person
- Dispatcher
- Dog Walker
- Electrician Helper
- Factory Assembler
- Farm Worker
- Gas Station Attendant
- Grocery Bagger
- Grocery Stocker
- Groundskeeper
- Home Companion/Caretaker
- Host/Hostess
- Hotel Desk Clerk Assistant
- Janitor
- Kennel Attendant
- Kitchen Helper
- Lawn/Landscape Worker
- Library Assistant
- Lifeguard
- Maid
- Mail Clerk
- Maintenance Helper
- Masonry Helper
- Messenger/Courier
- Movie Theatre Attendant, Usher
- Packer/Mover
- Painters Helper
- Parking Lot Attendant
- Photographer's Helper
- Plant/Nursery Assistant
- Plumbers Helper
- Receptionist
- Retail Clerk
- Swimming Instructor
- Vehicle washer/detailer
- Veterinarian Assistant
- Waiter/Waitress
- Warehouse person
- Word Processor
Where to Find Teen Jobs
- Talk with your family, family friends, and neighbors
- Review postings at your high school
- Check local newspaper/pennysaver help wanted want ads
- Pound the pavement around town or the mall and look for help wanted signs in store windows
- Search these Summer and Seasonal Jobs for Teens
Teen Job Resources
Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search
terms by going to our Job-Seeker's Glossary of Job-Hunting Terms.
Dr. Randall S. Hansen is founder of Quintessential Careers,
one of the oldest and most comprehensive career development sites on the Web, as well CEO of
EmpoweringSites.com. He is also founder of
MyCollegeSuccessStory.com and
EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. He is publisher of
Quintessential Careers Press,
including the Quintessential Careers electronic newsletter,
QuintZine. Dr. Hansen is also a
published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He's often
quoted in the media and conducts empowering workshops around the country. Finally, Dr. Hansen is
also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years. Visit his
personal Website or
reach him by email at randall(at)quintcareers.com.
