'REAL' job for an almost 16 yo girl

[Robmom]

I know how hard it is. My DD also 15 was looking for a job this past winter and everyone was looking for at least 18 year old's. The McDonald's was too far. The only other option was the summer day camp as a counselor. But, she got lucky. We went into a lawyer's office to get something notarized, and got to talking to the lawyer. My DD actually wants to be a lawyer. Well, she was offered a summer internship there and she starts next month. I hope your DD finds something soon.

 

[Karenj2]

I was a waitress at a retirement home from when I was 14 'til I graduated HS. What's nice about that is there's definitely no late hours even for the dinner service (most of our rush was around 4pm). There's a fixed menu, so you don't have to remember the daily specials, and there's no alcohol to serve. We also got more than the minimum wage, since they didn't allow tips. (Although a few of us got tips on occasion.)

It was tiring, but a good job. As I got "seniority" there, I also worked parties there, and did breakfast/lunch during the summer.

 

[Darcy03231]

DD started working at 15 for a local grocery store. Unfortunately job opportunities for under 16 are very limited due to child labor laws. If there are a lot of applicants and the employers can get someone who is 16 or older to fill the position that's who they'll hire. I think your best bet would be to have her call around within your 5 mile radius and find out which places will even hire at 15. If there's nothing within your 5 mile radius at least that way you won't be wasting gas driving around putting in applications at places she won't be considered.

 

[vitfamily]

My DS is 15 and he got a job working for a party center.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

That amphitheater clean up job sounds like a dream job to me....even now at 31 years old! We've got one about 20-30 miles away...hmmm!

It was fun but it was exhausting, smelly, backbreaking work, also.

Plus around 2 am you REALLY want to sit down in one of the chairs and just konk out because, well, it's 2 am!

My mother used to make me get undressed in the basement in front of the washing machine every morning because I and my clothes smelled *that* bad!

 

[Todd&Copper]

This may not work the OP daughter as she isnt interested in babysitting, but for others who have a daughter hitting that age next summer: If they start advertising (local paper, church, bulletinboards) to be full time sitter for the summer break they may be able to find a family needing someone to watch their kids that are normally in school, for just the summer. This would be steady work, M-F in most cases, could earn some good money that way. I know for me, Im at that point where I could go back to work, as I have mine in school full time, but what the heck do I do in the summer? I plan on working with my babysitter, to see if I can set her up to be my full time care during the summer next year, when she will be 14. Untill my son is old enough to be in charge, I will need another person keeping them safe and from killing each other. Id start advertising this a month or so before summer ends, or get the word out there to friends. This would give the people interested some time to have the sitter come and interview, do some sitting to see how everyone gets along and make a decision if they mesh. I did this when I was 13 and made way more money then I would have at Mcds!

I just want to add that if any girls do this, PLEASE make sure you spell everything correctly in your advertisements. There is a 15 year old girl who posted a sign offering her services as a sitter up in a local grocery store and 3 or 4 words on the sign are misspelled.

 

[loveabargin]

I was gonna suggest Chick-Fil-A too - I'm trying to convince DSS he should apply there. I have no first-hand experience - they just seem *different* (better) than other fast food places (but maybe it's just because I like the food so much!).

I worked for Chick-fil-A for years as a Marketing Director and they do hire 15 year olds. They must get a worker's permit and the hours are limited on school days, but summer they can work regular hours. You can look up the child labor laws in your state on the web, they would follow those at any place of employment.

 

[kwhite1022]

I just want to add that if any girls do this, PLEASE make sure you spell everything correctly in your advertisements. There is a 15 year old girl who posted a sign offering her services as a sitter up in a local grocery store and 3 or 4 words on the sign are misspelled.

Good point. Id also suggest they take any local training, our YMCA and hospital has service classes for CPR and babysitting, they are ways to show you are serious and responsible, they get certified when they finish.

 

[bondgurl]

The summer I was 15 I worked at the local library in the children's department. It was a great job, loved it. Probably not a ton of those jobs available nowadays though. From 16 to 18 I worked for the parks and rec summer day camp, that was SO fun and pretty good money and experience.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

A couple people have mentioned libraries- the one I worked at (as an adult) had a hard time finding any teen who wanted the library page (eg teen worker) job! (Too dorky? I don't know- paid well, a/c and no food service! )

Don't you guys have a new library too? (I have a friend in Bel Air, lol- I think she was saying there was a fancy new one with a science dept or something?)