i need a job...

I started my first job when I was 18 actually. I worked in a post office in a Shopper's Drug Mart store. It was pretty scary because of how fast paced it was, but I enjoyed it. It was the first unionized job I had as well. But I've learned that can work either with you or against you, but I won't get into that as that is a different discussion.

Where have you been looking? In person? Online?

Ahh, give it time. It will come. I know it's time consuming, but if you really want it which I believe you do, with patience and persistence someone will contact you for an interview.

If you're still searching for a job these sites might be helpful to you:
http://www.snagajob.com/c/teen-jobs/
http://youth.gov/youth-topics/youth-employment
http://www.youthrules.dol.gov

Are there local organizations that provide resources for teens searching for jobs? I live in Los Angeles and there are several programs like YEOP (Youth Employment Opportunity Program), JVS (Jewish Vocational Services, but it's open to everyone regardless of their religious beliefs), and job fairs through the Boys and Girls Clubs. Some employment agencies such as Apple One will accept teens for temporary work, some of which is long-term and pays decently. A friend worked all summer for Sony Studios. If you like baby sitting you could look into into whether there are local agencies or sites that represent sitters. I know there are some here that are popular.

As for paying for college and graduate school, you might want to do research on the financial aid policies for the colleges you're interested in attending and finding out what sort of package you might be eligible to receive. I believe there are financial aid calculators where you can punch in the annual income of your parent(s) and other relevant information, and then it will tell you what kind of assistance is plausible for you. My college has a really generous financial aid policy, but others are not as able to give nearly as much. There are scholarships, low interest loans, and on-campus jobs available to many students. If you have a high GPA and your family is lower income you might qualify for QuestBridge.

I've been dancing since I was two and a half, so my passion for it evolved into a job teaching dance and choreography. I worked at a dance studio over the summer teaching intensives (sort of like day camps) to elementary school kids, and then my high school hired me to choreograph the dances for recitals and other performances this year. I also make an income from selling my art at festivals, and songwriting for friends who are musicians. If you have any special interests or pursuits, look to see whether there are any job possibilities with it. I also had a paid internship in an office this summer, and the interviewers told me that it was my cover letter that impressed them and caused them to consider me. Normally the internship goes to college grads, so I lucked up. I definitely recommend reading through sample cover letters and resumes online, and then crafting your own. Also don't be afraid of rejection. I sent out more than 50 resumes and cover letters for one summer job. My philosophy was that the worst thing that could happen would be I wouldn't get a job I didn't already have, so it was worth the time to put forth the effort.

Stanfordella said:

If you're still searching for a job these sites might be helpful to you:
http://www.snagajob.com/c/teen-jobs/
http://youth.gov/youth-topics/youth-employment
http://www.youthrules.dol.gov

Are there local organizations that provide resources for teens searching for jobs? I live in Los Angeles and there are several programs like YEOP (Youth Employment Opportunity Program), JVS (Jewish Vocational Services, but it's open to everyone regardless of their religious beliefs), and job fairs through the Boys and Girls Clubs. Some employment agencies such as Apple One will accept teens for temporary work, some of which is long-term and pays decently. A friend worked all summer for Sony Studios. If you like baby sitting you could look into into whether there are local agencies or sites that represent sitters. I know there are some here that are popular.

As for paying for college and graduate school, you might want to do research on the financial aid policies for the colleges you're interested in attending and finding out what sort of package you might be eligible to receive. I believe there are financial aid calculators where you can punch in the annual income of your parent(s) and other relevant information, and then it will tell you what kind of assistance is plausible for you. My college has a really generous financial aid policy, but others are not as able to give nearly as much. There are scholarships, low interest loans, and on-campus jobs available to many students. If you have a high GPA and your family is lower income you might qualify for QuestBridge.

I've been dancing since I was two and a half, so my passion for it evolved into a job teaching dance and choreography. I worked at a dance studio over the summer teaching intensives (sort of like day camps) to elementary school kids, and then my high school hired me to choreograph the dances for recitals and other performances this year. I also make an income from selling my art at festivals, and songwriting for friends who are musicians. If you have any special interests or pursuits, look to see whether there are any job possibilities with it. I also had a paid internship in an office this summer, and the interviewers told me that it was my cover letter that impressed them and caused them to consider me. Normally the internship goes to college grads, so I lucked up. I definitely recommend reading through sample cover letters and resumes online, and then crafting your own. Also don't be afraid of rejection. I sent out more than 50 resumes and cover letters for one summer job. My philosophy was that the worst thing that could happen would be I wouldn't get a job I didn't already have, so it was worth the time to put forth the effort.

Click to expand...

Bolding mine.

And the OP may have more special interests than she thinks.

I swam competitively in High School (and well before and in college). Lifeguard positions, especially beach guards, involved a competitive swim. I might have been good enough, my vision wasn't. No job, right? Wrong. There were tons of jobs teaching swimming every summer. There are also commercial summer camps. Things might have changed but back when I was a kid there were jobs with low pay for young adults even before they turned 16. I don't remember if it was 18 or 21, but once one hit a 'magic' age for a commercial license There were jobs that paid meh wages during the camp period, but pretty good wages for a bus route before and after camp (and most busses were simply 8-12 person vans, no big deal to drive). And the camp walked you through getting the license. I didn't go that route. I ended up running the go kart track because the camp owners trusted me. This could be a decent seasonal route. By the time you are in college you could be an area manager and make decent money every summer.

I happen to be a math geek (math geeks who are also props tend to joke about everything especially math geekhood). I had at least 2 tutoring gigs fall in my lap. I'm thinking about $10 per hour, 40 years ago. Parents pay good money when their kids are struggling in a subject. The OP said 8 years of college, I'm assuming that means a doctoral degree after undergrad. That either means the OP is delusional or is pretty good in at least a couple of subjects. You don't need a college degree to tutor kids, heck I even tutored classmates in college. Actually as a tutor sometimes the people who just finished the class are very close to the best. A lot of the time patience is the hardest part. (At least in Math getting the student to get it on their own and remember it is the goal and NOT telling them each step, but instead getting them to tell you each step is the trick. That and getting them back on the right path when they stray and asking leading questions when they stall).

Really speak a foreign language that is taught at your school? You have a gold mine.

If you are a good student ask your teachers if they are aware of any students who need a tutor. If you are good at math just becoming the refer to person for one teacher who has one or 2 remedial classes will likely get you all the tutees you can handle.

keith99 said:

Bolding mine.

And the OP may have more special interests than she thinks.

I swam competitively in High School (and well before and in college). Lifeguard positions, especially beach guards, involved a competitive swim. I might have been good enough, my vision wasn't. No job, right? Wrong. There were tons of jobs teaching swimming every summer. There are also commercial summer camps. Things might have changed but back when I was a kid there were jobs with low pay for young adults even before they turned 16. I don't remember if it was 18 or 21, but once one hit a 'magic' age for a commercial license There were jobs that paid meh wages during the camp period, but pretty good wages for a bus route before and after camp (and most busses were simply 8-12 person vans, no big deal to drive). And the camp walked you through getting the license. I didn't go that route. I ended up running the go kart track because the camp owners trusted me. This could be a decent seasonal route. By the time you are in college you could be an area manager and make decent money every summer.

I happen to be a math geek (math geeks who are also props tend to joke about everything especially math geekhood). I had at least 2 tutoring gigs fall in my lap. I'm thinking about $10 per hour, 40 years ago. Parents pay good money when their kids are struggling in a subject. The OP said 8 years of college, I'm assuming that means a doctoral degree after undergrad. That either means the OP is delusional or is pretty good in at least a couple of subjects. You don't need a college degree to tutor kids, heck I even tutored classmates in college. Actually as a tutor sometimes the people who just finished the class are very close to the best. A lot of the time patience is the hardest part. (At least in Math getting the student to get it on their own and remember it is the goal and NOT telling them each step, but instead getting them to tell you each step is the trick. That and getting them back on the right path when they stray and asking leading questions when they stall).

Really speak a foreign language that is taught at your school? You have a gold mine.

If you are a good student ask your teachers if they are aware of any students who need a tutor. If you are good at math just becoming the refer to person for one teacher who has one or 2 remedial classes will likely get you all the tutees you can handle.

Click to expand...

Great suggestions. I'm quoting your whole post so if it gets zapped because of the section age restrictions the information will still be here.

Did you ever get a job? Hope you did.