Should your teenager have a job?     008

Each year teenagers receive ten weeks holiday and in private schools sometimes a lot more. This is plenty of time to engage in paid employment, or at least in some type of work experience. Here are four reasons why students should try to have employment.

First, they learn to be employable, to have capabilities such as engagement, communication, punctuality, work ethic, teamwork and time management. These types of attributes will bring success on the job, which leads in turn to still further positions.

Second, teenage employment helps to showcase personal development, talent and initiative. These things need to be documented if children are to have the best chance at scholarships, cadetships and professional trainee programs, after Year 12.

Third, holiday work can help teenagers decide on the type of career they would like to have. Some students for example do not like working with other people, or do not like customers. Others prefer to work outdoors or like travel. The more experiences children have a better they are able to make a career choice.

Fourth, employment helps students understand that in the real world there is always competition. Let us consider for example a job at Officeworks, which is popular with young people because of the attractive rates of pay and interesting working conditions. Recently, among a group of four Officeworks stores in Sydney, there were 30 vacancies for the Christmas holidays. However 300 children applied. Your children must then get used to competition—and start being competitive.

All content copyright—Mark Thackray—Australian Educational Services