As summer break rolls around each year, you’ll find countless articles emphasizing the significance of summer jobs for teenagers. Many recount their experiences with tough, often dirty work: hauling heavy items at factories, assisting as untrained aides, or even cleaning up at the local landfill. We all have our tales of walking uphill both ways to school, right? For my eldest son, getting a job became the pivotal experience that instilled the values I struggled to impress upon him through mere words or consequences.
When Jake turned 16, he had a learner’s permit, poor grades, and a burning desire for his driver’s license. Since we had no other leverage, withholding that license became our primary tool to motivate him. Jake, despite being kind-hearted, humorous, and helpful, had a rocky start in high school. He was grounded during his freshman year and underwent testing for learning disabilities, which was common at the time. After a particularly challenging sophomore year, we sent him to a summer boarding school in New Hampshire, where he lived in a tent and attended classes six days a week. While it provided a temporary fix, his grades slipped back to Ds and Fs by junior year, and he lamented being the only one of his peers without a license.
My husband and I laid out two choices: improve grades to all Bs or find a job. The end of junior year came, and Jake managed to maintain his lackluster grades, failing to pursue employment. On the third day of his summer vacation, he dressed up in a collared shirt and set out to find work. After a week of rejection, his spirits were low. Feeling sympathetic, I began driving him around local businesses, offering encouragement. I sometimes joined him in the establishments out of curiosity and often left relieved when he didn’t get a job there. “Would you really want to work in that secondhand shop?” I questioned once.
“Yes, Mom, I’ll work anywhere that pays,” he replied, showing his growing desperation. He finally started heeding his father’s advice, following up with phone calls and thank-you notes. My husband provided him with business cards to attach to job applications. After applying at a busy restaurant, Jake felt defeated when he learned that the owner, Mr. Thompson, was unavailable. I offered comfort, reminding him that he only needed one opportunity, much like selling a house or finding a partner.
On our drive home, Jake casually mentioned that a waitress had hinted at potential morning openings. Encouraged, I suggested he call the next day. Reluctantly, he made the call and connected with Mr. Thompson, who had just informed him there were no positions available. Feeling disheartened, I wanted to cry at the unfairness of it all. Just when it seemed all hope was lost, the house phone rang ten minutes later—it was Mr. Thompson! I rushed to bring the phone to Jake.
After a brief conversation, Jake came downstairs, standing taller and beaming with newfound energy. “I have an interview this morning!” I drove him to the restaurant and waited outside. Moments later, my phone buzzed with a text: “I got it!” Elated, we celebrated with breakfast. That day, he left a hopeful teen and returned an employed young man. True to our word, we headed to the DMV, where he received his long-awaited license. I had never seen him so proud.
Jake worked diligently throughout the summer and the following year. While his work ethic thrived, his grades remained mediocre, impacting his college options. Disheartened by his choices, he buckled down during his senior semester and, with our guidance, opted for a gap year after high school. He reapplied to colleges and planned for the following year.
After his gap year in Central America, he balanced two jobs, discovering that once you’ve held one position, securing another becomes easier. Eager for independence and income, he returned to college after summer and even earned an internship in California, which he greatly enjoyed.
Securing a job on his own transformed Jake’s life. It was a milestone he achieved independently, teaching him that with perseverance, planning, and a dash of luck, goals can be reached. When his younger brother asked for guidance in finding a job, Jake chuckled, “Sure! Just walk into 40 places, and you’ll land something.”
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Summary:
Getting a job taught my son invaluable life lessons that I struggled to convey. From his initial struggles with grades and motivation, to landing his first job and discovering independence, his journey showcases the importance of perseverance and responsibility. The experience not only transformed his attitude towards work and education but also equipped him with skills that would benefit him in the future.