[Germany101]

My wonderful 14 year old son is eager to have a summer job, and so am I.Cant wait for him to see what it is to actually have a job. Maybe that will give him a good reason to want to go to college. I am having the hardest time finding employers who are willing to hire 14 year olds. I have called numerous fast food restaurants and none of them accept 14 year olds. Any advise would be great.

[Charles]

craigslist

mowing lawns
baby sitting
washing cars
pulling weeds
lifeguard
stuffing envelopes
stocking parts, inventory
washing dishes
farm work
human signs
tutoring


I didn't work until I was just before 16, making $3.30/hour in 1977 soldering PC boards.

Fourteen is still a good time to enjoy summer with his buddies.

[harry chickpea]

He won't be allowed to work in a regular business because of the child labor laws. Sorry. It used to be that there could be "student exemptions" which were attractive to business because the kids could be paid sub-minimum wage. The restrictions were punitive though, no more than X hours, no night work, etc.. There also might be some agricultural exemptions but those are usually reserved for family members in a farm family.

He could "intern" at some places, but he wouldn't be earning money. That can be great if he has a career path outlined. Educational tv stations used to partly live on interns working their buttsoff.

Charles is on the right track though, he can, AFAIK, have his own "business" as long as he doesn't run afoul of tax laws and pays for a license. In a way, that is even better, since the world is built on the backs of small business. Some product ideas might be found here: makezine.com: Make: Projects

[Frankie117]

Originally Posted by Germany101

My wonderful 14 year old son is eager to have a summer job, and so am I.Cant wait for him to see what it is to actually have a job. Maybe that will give him a good reason to want to go to college. I am having the hardest time finding employers who are willing to hire 14 year olds. I have called numerous fast food restaurants and none of them accept 14 year olds. Any advise would be great.

14 is too young. 15 is the bare minimum, and even then he will have a difficult time finding a job, the only people who will hire are probably going to be grocery stores. I would advise him to enjoy another summer with his friends and family, and worry about a job when he turns 15 or even 16..

However, if you really are determined to find a job for a 14 year old, teach him how to run the lawn mower and let him cut grass as a job. It pays well, more so than a minimum wage job, good stable employment because grass always grows.

[southern by choice]

I would look into the babysitting certification courses taught at most local Y's. He will learn CPR among other things, which he will need later on for such jobs as lifeguard, when he is old enough for them. I think 15 is a better age to begin working, and though even at that age the jobs are limited, they are out there .

[historychic09]

While he wouldn't get paid for it, he could always volunteer at a local animal shelter, or if he's not into animals, he could always volunteer for a museum or other public locations. Volunteering might be better, because while he won't get paid, he will get training and experience in several areas.

[Germany101]

Thank you for the replies! I am not sure what Southlander was trying to say - however if you are asking if I have a job - yes I have actually two. I work seven days a week. My 14 yr old has interned the the YMCA for one year now, but he thinks money grows on trees - therefore I wanted him to find a paying job. You can work at 14 in Alabama with a work permit which he does have. I think its sad that nobody is willing to give him a job, even part time - because he would do a much better job than some adults that I know. Grass cutting is not an option - our neighborhood is small and the peopel there are mostly retired and cut their own grass for recreational purposes. I am not able to take him to other areas because I work. We are still looking and hopefully we can get him a paid job part time somewhere. He should be able to earn money and buy the things he wants - because my kids get the things they NEED not want. I am a single mother of 3 boys and we can only afford NEEDS. I am a bit dissapointed in the responses, but I guess most of the children in Alabama have parents with money and dont need to work.

[Threestep]

Why are you disappointed in honest answers? There is no reason for sarcasm.

He is 14, he has no transportation and there are no jobs in the neighborhood for kids. I know of no company open to hiring a 14-year-old in the Birmingham market. For legal and liability reasons most companies set policy for 16 and above. Just look at the limitations set by federal law. Summer jobs are very limited this year which is an understatement.

Have him knock on the doors in the neighborhood. Someone is bound to let him cut gras or do chores in this weather.

Can you not get him on at one of your two jobs?

[harry chickpea]

I think she was disappointed at the general situation, not the answers per se.

To elaborate a little on my earlier point, working FOR someone else is a good way to become indoctrinated in working for people for the rest of your life. Working independently develops a whole different skill set. One of the very first "jobs" I had at about age nine involved making jewelery out of marbles that had been heated and cracked internally to create shiny facets. They were unique and I sold a bunch. A kid of fourteen could have done much better.

[Threestep]

Harry - as you have been around - do you see any summer jobs for kids? I cannot even get friend's college age kids on as teller floaters or runners.