Growing up, independence was something that I, as well as many others my age, craved. I would also hear of all the responsibilities adults had and questioned, how will I ever prepare myself for that?
I received my first ever job was at the age of 15. It was a small, cramped daycare, and I was responsible for picking up calls, distributing food for the kids, and sanitation. Although my job was actually very simple, I still believe that it taught me many valuable lessons.
One valuable lesson that my first job taught me was how to be smart with money. Depending on other individuals with financial decisions could often be stressful. However, when you get financial freedom and receive an amount of money that you aren't originally accustomed to, it is very easy to go overboard and waste everything in one go. Because of this, one of the first things that I was taught when I received a job was how to be smart with money and make it last. Learning this at a young age is important for teens, as it prepares you for the real world when you can often find yourself overflowing with debt if you do not make smart decisions.
Another valuable lesson that my job taught me was time management. Prior to my job, I slept through the mornings and stayed awake through the night. When I started working in my summer job, I learned about time management, due to the fact that I had a schedule I was expected to follow. This helped me learn how to be more responsible with my time, a crucial aspect of adult life.
Lastly, another valuable aspect that jobs have given me is experience that I could add to my resume. If you are like most individuals, a resume is an important document that will be used to determined if you have the right qualifications for a job. Having experience at a young age can give an advantage and build up experience that will make you much more appealing as opposed to others.
Ultimately, jobs should become much more accessible for teens, as they teach a variety of different lessons and instill many important values amongst individuals early on. Cities should provide more programs and jobs for teens, as it prepares them heavily for the future.
