Take it from some others too!
In an attempt to console any teenagers worried about what mindset to have or what to expect, I have asked previous coworkers and friends of mine to give advice to the average teenager who wants to start working.
‘From my personal experience, as a teenager you shouldn’t bow down or submit to an abusive workplace. That kind of environment conditions you from a young age to accept harsh (and unacceptable) working conditions later on. In my first few jobs, I was paid significantly less money than I was owed, worked for a lot more hours I was supposed to and ended up with physical injuries and exhaustion. When looking for employment, don’t be ashamed to leave and try again!’
started working at 15
‘You have to be reliable and not try to be impressive, don’t try to be smart, but do the small things well, treat a job as an experience that can be helpful in the future’
started working at 16
‘You should look over your contract carefully, don’t do extra tasks that aren’t written. Be careful of the friends you make, many people would sacrifice you to have better terms with your manager, which can lead to losses in income.’
started working at 12
‘Teenagers who want to begin working learn independence and develop smart financial habits at a young age. Even small paychecks can make an impact if you learn to save consistently and spend responsibly. For example, you can learn budgeting by dividing your money for your personal needs, wants, and savings. In this way, you can also practice your decision-making in terms of finance, which will be beneficial in the future. The earlier teens learn how to manage their money, the more prepared they will be in adulthood.’
started working at 20
‘this is a good thing to do since it gives you skills, this hustle mentality can benefit you since you become hardworking and it helps you think differently and lets you appreciate how you make money. making you have a sense of independence, improving your social skills’
started working at 17
