Today’s high school students are becoming more independent at an earlier age and with this freedom comes a desire for money with which to finance their independence. High school students have several items on their list of expenditures including cell phone bills, gas money, car insurance, and college, not to mention entertainment and socializing.

Finding the right job for a high school student, however, is not an easy task. These young adults are often juggling many responsibilities that make it difficult to find time in their schedule for a job. It is important that they find a job that allows a healthy balance between school, family, friends, and making the money they want. Some options for today’s teens include part-time work, summer work, and internships.

Part-time jobs:
A full-time job for high school students is rarely a good idea, but they may have enough time available to work part-time. Most part-time jobs for high school students require 10-20 hours per week. During the school year, most of these hours can be worked on the weekend but teens should remember to still allow time to complete homework assignments and school projects. Also, they should look for an employer who is willing to be flexible in regard to extracurricular school activities. The school guidance counselor can be a good source of information in finding a job. Most jobs available for high school students are in the retail and service industries making an hourly salary. They usually are not glamorous positions but do offer great experience and the flexibility students need.

Summer jobs:
With classes over the summer, students have a lot more options for work. Many may opt to work full-time, while others may continue to work part-time so they have increased freedom to spend time with friends and family. Some students may take summer school classes or go on vacations during the summer, leaving less time to spend working.

Summer internships:
More industrious high school students may seek out opportunities afforded by internship programs. Keep in mind high school students will be competing with college students for these jobs. If the experience gained in an internship is more valuable that a paycheck, there are also unpaid internships available. These may be more readily available to high school students and involve less competition for them. Some companies even have internships specifically made for high school students. They are usually local and require you to be at least 16 years old. Some of these are even paid internships!

High school students should keep in mind that everyone needs that first job at some point. It may not be exactly what they want to do and they may not make the salary they want to make. No matter what that first job might be, it is still experience that can be included in the resume. And, you never know how much they might actually learn to enjoy that first job, and especially the financial independence it helps them establish.