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In North America, teenagers look forward to turning legal working age or legal babysitting age in almost every region. Summer jobs and part time jobs in the school year help teens make extra spending money, offering their parents some financial relief on frivelous purchases such as video games or designer jeans. Having these experiences also teaches teens discipline and responsibility in the real world. It prepares them for what they will face after they finish high school, and in some cases, it can show them that they may be stuck at a horrible fast food job for the rest of their lives if they don't put effort forth in their education now.

Many teens begin their first venture into the workforce by babysitting the younger children of friends and family members. Most teenagers, recognizing that specialized training is involved, take the steps to obtain their babysitting license and first aid/CPR certification. These are great first steps, and if the venture is properly nurtered, this can open wonderful opportunities for their first "real" job.

Babysitting teaches teens how to supervise the activity of others, how to take responsibility for others and how to follow a set of expectations by an employer. It also teaches teens the value of money and that you have to work to get paid. Employment arrangements as caregivers is a great experience for the 13-15 year old age range, also offering them references when they are ready to apply for a job at McDonald's or elsewhere.

Once a teen reaches the legal working age for their region (usually mandated at the State or Provincial level in North America), they look forward to higher wages and a more "real" work experience. A teenagers first jobs are a great opportunity for them to begin their professional networking. Encourage your teen to forge friendships with his co-workers, and encourage them to hold down that job. Some employers understand that teens may not want, or be permitted by their parents, to work during the school year and will permit them to return during times when school is not in session without reapplying. It's proven that teens who held one job throughout high school perform better when they switch jobs and continue the habit of work stability.

Jobs at fast food joints, restaurants, retail locations and grocers are great for teens. These types of jobs teach teens how to deal with the demands of the public, how to handle cash and cash related issues and how to deal with realistic work situations, such as difficult co-workers or employers. Lessons of ethics taught early in the work career often stick with a person throughout their entire life, so instill in your teen the importance of honesty at all times in the work place and how to behave ethically.

Other good places for teens to work during the summer months is in the tourism industry, such as guide tours or information booth clerks. The experience gained here is invaluable, given our ever expanding multi-cultural society.

A "good" teenage summer job is one that is considered by the teen. If your sixteen year old son is gothic and into heavy metal music, he probably shouldn't be encouraged to obtain a job at The Gap, but perhaps instead a record store. You can offer your child skills from a very young age that will foster into interests and passions. Encourage them to try working in these fields and help them open pathways to careers if they love the jobs they tried as a teen.

Learn more about this author, Becka Chamaillard.
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