So it’s time for to get your first job. Don’t be scared; there are plenty of amazing opportunities! Whether it's in retail, a restaurant or some odd job, there are some valuable lessons in whatever you choose.

I may only be 18, but I’ve had a few jobs in my time. From my first job of running a lemonade stand (I made the big bucks for an 8-year-old) to my current array which includes babysitting, serving and editing highlight reels. I usually nanny during the day, and then serve at night while editing sports reels on the weekend. It may seem like it’s super stressful, and don’t get me wrong, it can be exactly that. But at the end of the day, I feel so accomplished, and it makes all the stress worth it.

When you get a job, you’re becoming a part of something a lot bigger than yourself. Take serving, for example. While I personally try to sell a lot of food, so I can get a good tip, I’m also contributing to the success of the restaurant. Every appetizer, entrée and dessert I sell helps keep the restaurant alive. So understand that your role, while it may be small, is vital to the company.

Now, finding the right fit for a part-time job can seem hopeless. I started off when I was 14 by running lights for summer camps at a local performance company, but I quickly found that working in show business wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It did, however, teach me work ethic.

Fast forward to when I was 17, and I got a retail job selling t-shirts and other items at a very popular store. Well, with middle school kids constantly coming in and messing up my pretty displays, that didn’t last long. This short job taught me resilience.

Slightly scarred from that experience, I was feeling a bit down. What kind of job can I get as a high school teen that I actually enjoy? Well I headed to my next job interview for a position at the childcare center located in a local gym. I’m good with kids, so I should like this right? Wrong. I was so wrong. I found that I like kids for a short amount of time – not for twelve hours a day. Although it was annoying at times, it taught me patience.

Now I have my current jobs. I’ve been a nanny to the same family for about 10 months now, so I can actually enjoy spending twelve hours with those kids. I’ve been serving at a local sports bar for seven months now, and I honestly love it. Working in a restaurant is like working with family: we all lean on each other and sometimes we fight, but at the end of the day, we only want what is best for each other. Now and then I will work with an athlete to make a highlight reel for them to send to colleges, and that, honestly, has to be one of my favorite jobs. I’ve been editing videos since I was twelve, so I decided to turn one of my passions into a source of income. I learn from my jobs every time I start my shift. They teach me compassion, understanding and imagination.

So if you don’t like your first job, that’s okay. We all go through jobs we absolutely hate, but the lessons we gain are vital to our growth. Take it from me; it is possible to find a job that makes you happy in high school. Also, don’t think for a second that you can’t make money off of something you’re passionate about. Do you like to make jewelry or other DIYs? Good. Set up a store on Etsy and start selling! Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there because more often than not, there is an amazing opportunity right around the corner.