<p>Has anybody had that situation? Younger DD, currently a sophomore, only turns 16 in August. Most internships and jobs are only for those 16 and above. Older DD also had the same problem. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>With rare exception, most “internships” for high school students really are go-fer jobs given as favors by relatives and family friends. They have impressive titles, few duties, and may work few hours.</p>
<p>Older S was one of the rare exceptions. He got a paid newspaper internship at age 16 based on volunteer work that he had been doing for years writing, editing and even designing a web page for professional publications. At your D’s age, he was able to get paid for freelance articles that he sent to professional newspapers who wanted coverage of local college sports. If your D is a good writer and interested in sports, she may be able to get such paid work if she has produced good articles on sports for her student newspaper. </p>
<p>Typically, students your D’s age get jobs like: baby sitting, day camp junior counselors (typically working for places where they previously attended or volunteered), house cleaners for friends, doing lawn maintainence, pet sitters for neighbors and friends.</p>
<p>Having done previous volunteer work at a business or other institution is the way to get a foot in the door. This even can be true of students looking for summer jobs when they are in college. The first summer hires may be students and others who have previously volunteered there or who have done a good job volunteering elsewhere doing similar work. For instance, doing volunteer work by working concessions during school sports event gives one experience that can help one get a fast food job once one is old enough for such work.</p>
<p>Target will hire this age group and is VERY flexible with their hours. D worked there for the last 2+ years, had a great work experience, and was being paid handsomely for a “kid” (well over minimum wage by the end of her stint).</p>
<p>I worked at a local photoshop when I was 15, it was only minimum wage, but I learned a lot and had a lot of fun getting my photos developed for cheap (obviously before the digital photo revolution).</p>
<p>Landscaping is another fairly leniant area that she may be able to find a job in.</p>
<p>My D was 15 as a rising junior. She didn’t turn 16 until late in the fall. She did 2 “mini-internships” for a specific Girl Scout Award. She also attended our state’s Governor’s School. Her hs fall sport had daily mandatory practices about 3 weeks before school started.</p>
<p>my 16 year old, has volunteered since she was 14, last summer she had a “job” as a junior counselor at a residential camp, learning how to lead kids and teach them riding.
This summer she plans on being an intern at the camp,and next year after she graduates high school, she will be eligible for a paid position as a counselor.
She also has looked into volunteer positions at the aquarium ( she is planning on majoring in marine bio) and next fall wants to co-coach a younger boys ( she says young girls are too squealy), soccer team.</p>
<p>Volunteer work is rarely turned down although some local opportunities are quite competitive. ITs a great way to get contacts and build experience before you get to the point where you actually want to be making money :)</p>
<p>Another possibility is to start one’s own business. I remember someone mentioned here a backyard poop cleaning business. My son does freelance computer programming and when he was younger occassionally did troubleshooting or setting up computer systems for neighbors. I think if he’d been more entrepreneurial he could have made it a business.</p>
<p>In New York State, kids can get paying jobs at 14…they usually need to get working papers from their HS. Working hours during the school year are limited, but I think they can work a 40 hour week in the summer. Many local companies (not national chains) will hire kids at 14. Don’t know about other states.</p>
<p>What kind of internships would your D be interested in?</p>
<p>Most classic summer jobs where I live are 14+, such as bussing at a cafe, working at a mini-golf place, being a camp counselor, working as a cashier in a store, collecting tickets at some attraction, etc. My local area is known for students working many hours from a young age, though. Tons of 14 year olds work 40 hours/week during the summer around here. If it’s different where you live, the options will probably be different. I was 16 summer before my junior year, and I worked as a bank teller. It didn’t take a lot of thought, and I got another job the next year, but it was fine for what it was. I would guess that many national chain stores will hire a 15 year old. If you live in a well-off area, there’s always babysitting. The babysitters I know made unbelievable money around that age, but they worked long hours. If she can’t find anything paying, volunteering is a great option that can set her up for future jobs.</p>
<p>Our area is 14+ as well. Young people can get a job just about anywhere (we must live near corranged). Our S was a bus boy the summer he was 14 and lifeguard the summer he was 15. He will guard again each summer through graduation. Kids work at the tennis courts, golf course, mini mart, grocery store, YMCA, etc.</p>
<p>Students in our area have many opporunities at that age. Lifeguard certification courses start at age 15, and many summer camps have CIT programs, if not actual positions. All of our children have been junior coaches and second assistants for our summer swimming league–not only have they earned money, but they have also learned valuable leadership and management skills.</p>
<p>nowayout
dont know where you live, but in NY state it is hard for an under 16 yr old to get a paying retail type job.State laws (per friend who is a retail store manager) prohibits under 16’s from working a cash register,and limits their hours pretty stringently so they favor hiring over 16s and mostly over 18s.
S had this exact problem.He had a thriving babysitting enterprise at the time (2 sets of boys only neighbors loved having a male babysitter).For the summer,he went to a college based academic program for part of the summer and babysat the rest.He also got some p/t work from his hockey league doing scoring/timekeeping.He also did alot of volunteer work at a local nursing home,beginning at 14 for honor society hours and continuing for the next few years.it definitely gave him confidence,he was wheeling patients, and assisting in social activities…making conversations,developing empathy.
When he turned 17 he was able to get work for the spring/summer with a local minor league ball club.They’ve asked him back for this summer when he returns from freshman year if he wants the job again.It definitely gets easier when they age.
From what I know of the lifeguarding,you can get certified at 15 but most places wont hire you until you are 16.</p>
<p>If she is interested in animals, try any local kennel or boarding hospital. My D got a job at 15 as a kennel assistant, and although it is hard work with some crazy hours, she loves it and has done amazingly well.</p>
<p>Don’t know if it’s a nationwide thing or not but where we live Chik-Fil-A hires 14 and 15 year olds.</p>