One of the most aggravating tasks is trying to find a job and researching things like who pays the best, what is closest, who hires my age, and much more.
As a teen, you’ll likely find yourself in a variety of job settings, from restaurants and coffee shops to fast food chains. These are often considered entry-level or ‘simplistic’ jobs. However, some teens choose to leap ahead and aim for more ‘advanced’ roles.
“I am looking to pursue a job in the Veterinary field after high school and want to get a feel for the environment,” Zoie Davies said.
While some teens take on these jobs just for pay or other reasons, most are looking to pursue a career in the field in which the job falls.
“A Veterinary receptionist job will not only give me real-life skills but also give me a foot in the field I plan on entering after high school,” Davies said.
Looking for such jobs can help teens get a feel for the career path they want to pursue after high school. It can also help them learn new skills and discipline.
Most jobs the average teen has do not show much discipline. While there may be strict rules and specific expectations, the difference in discipline plays a significant role in a student’s life.
For example, I currently work as a hostess at Sweet Lou’s and am in the process of finding and getting a job as a Medical Receptionist in one of the hospitals around this area.
While there are a few mandatory rules I must follow as a hostess and certain mannerisms I must show, the Medical Receptionist job has almost double the regulations and qualifications.
While it may be an odd transition and feel like a lot at this moment, it ultimately gives me more life skills and a better sense of discipline.
I am currently in the process of getting this job because I want to pursue a career in Sonography after high school. Being a receptionist for the imaging center will open up a door of opportunities and give me a true feel for the job.
While many students decide to take this leap and go above and beyond, transitioning into the new workplace can be difficult.
“I currently work at Cascadia Pizza Co., which I love, but it’s going to be a big switch into the Veterinary job because they are two completely different atmospheres and work styles,” Davies said.
The transition to these roles can feel like a significant shift. Moving from a more relaxed job to a fast-paced, demanding role can seem daunting. However, it’s in these challenging environments that teens can truly grow and learn.
In the end, though, it helps teens gain more experience and may even lead them in a different direction than they initially thought they wanted to do.
While these more advanced jobs are usually things like Veterinary Assistants, Medical Receptionists, and others, some teens getting ahead does not necessarily mean going into the career field they want, but becoming managers.
Callum Coffey is a Lakeland high school senior who manages night shifts at McDonald’s.
“Being a manager seemed hard at first, but it is honestly not that bad,” Coffey said.
Coffey has worked at McDonald’s for two years as a cook and recently worked his way up to the manager position. While he was not too ecstatic about the job initially, he is grateful he took it.
“This is not the job I saw myself staying in after high school, so I was a bit skeptical to take it at first, but I am glad that I did,” Coffey said.
Coffey is grateful for the opportunity to do more advanced work at his job and earn more money.
He has put in two hard years of work and moved into a more respectable position.
While students take jobs in the fields they want or become managers, other students will begin their careers for the first time next year.
“I start Fire Fighter 1 this summer and EMT after in August. After that, I will go to the Fire Department and do the training to become an official firefighter,” Chase Petersen said.
Petersen is expected to be in the department by this time next year. He has done many things to prepare, like the Cadet Academy and schooling.
While this is a significant accomplishment for him, it is still a big jump from his regular part-time job.
“I currently work as a lifeguard at Silverwood, and going from that to firefighting is still a huge jump. It is very different from just jumping into the water to rolling up at a wreck,” Petersen said.
Petersen understands the challenges he faces will be more severe and scary in this job, but the career has always stuck out to him.
“Lifeguarding helped me get into this career honestly, and I liked being there to help people and save their lives. No one wants to get that call of someone they care about being gone, and I feel that I can help avoid that with firefighting and EMT,” Petersen said.
While students worldwide have big dreams and beliefs about their futures, something as simple as a receptionist job or lifeguarding can be the true power of starting a career early.
It can show students skills, life lessons, and discipline in the field.
Do not let age decide what jobs you can and can not have, and do not hold back from getting that head start or getting that promotion.
