Why Do Teenagers Need Jobs?

A teenager may have so many things going on in his life that getting a job becomes a low priority. Parents may also reason that a teenager's education should come first. However, there are certain values, skills and advantages that a teenager can get from a job beyond that of a paycheck. Having a job as a teenager may help prepare him for a successful future.

  1. Value Of Money

    • In "The Rise and Fall of the American Teenager," author Thomas Hine notes that parents have used jobs to teach their children the value of money. Teenagers will appreciate an object more if they need to work for it. Jobs can build fundamental personal values such as hard work, patience and the importance of saving money.

    Professional Skill Development

    • Teenagers typically get entry-level jobs such as working in restaurants, filing paperwork in companies and working as assistants to employees and managers.These simple tasks build essential skills in any type of working environment. A teenager in an entry-level sales job, for example, will learn proper customer service, effective communication with employees and managers and team-building. Learning these skills early will build a solid foundation for the future professional.

    College Applications

    • Most colleges and universities ask prospective students about their activities outside of school. A teenager with prior work experience has a distinct edge in this regard. For example, community and volunteer jobs will showcase the student as an active community member. In the same sense, a teenager with multiple technical internships will demonstrate her high interest level and involvement in a certain industry.

    Career Discovery

    • Jobs such as internships and summer enrichment programs may direct a teenager to a full-time career. Teenagers are highly encouraged to take internships not only to build work experience, but also to get an inside look in a company of interest. Certain companies also have shadow programs where a teenager works as a close assistant to a manager. She would get to see what type of work the manager does and get specific coaching on why that type of career might be for her. Other options include exploring entrepreneurship; for example, an artistically passionate teen might see selling her paintings online as a viable career.

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