Working whilst at college

[slipperandpjsmum]

My ds starts college in two days. My dh thinks he should be looking for a job now (pt to fit with college hours - evenings and weekends).

Are other people's teens working and at college? How is it going?

[GetOrfAKAMrsUsainBolt]

My dd starts sixth form this week and has a job at Macdonalds (she will do 2 shifts at the weekend).

I think it is a very good idea to get a job somewhere flexible like a supermarket, macdonalds, nandos or something. But jobs like this are gold dust - it is very, very hard for teens to get jobs nowadays, nothing like it was 10 or 20 years ago.

[bruffin]

My Ds is just starting yr 12 and has had 4 jobs

Working at DH company in half term

Worked at Comet October to Jan on saturdays during xmas holidays

He has his NPLQ so has a life guard job on a casual basis where he gets offered lots of hours, also just been offered a two hours a week lifeguarding at a school.

[GetOrfAKAMrsUsainBolt]

DD had a place to do her lifeguarding qualification, but she fell down and broke her arm just before it was due to start.

Hopefully she will have another chance this autumn. To be honest Macdonalds is very hard work and I think she would rather do something else. But is keeping the job because she realises she is very lucky to have it.

[scurryfunge]

My DS managed to get a few part time jobs- he was proactive with pestering employers when he knew another employee was about to leave for uni, etc. it seemed to work for him.

[MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay]

All of mine have worked through 6th form/college. Both girls had saturday jobs, and DD2 also did a few hours a week in a shop after school, and DS1 worked at Dominos Pizza 4 nights a week while he was in 6th form college.

This is THE best time of year to look for a job as many kids ,like my DD2 will be leaving for University in a week or so so there will be vacancies...I would tell your DS to get out there looking and asking now! It gets much harder to find jobs later in the year.

I would most definitely expect someone on a 2 day a week course to be finding a p/t job..and it looks good on their CVs later. :)

[sleeze]

My ds works - usually about 6 to 8 hours at weekends. He get extra work during the holidays too. It works well for him and us. He can afford to buy the clothes he wants and go to the cinema, out for pizza with friends or an occasional gig.

In our experience jobs for 16/17 year olds are not advertised. Keep your eyes open for new shops or cafes opening. Pester power can work wonders!

[littlejo67]

Both my sons have/will work during college. DS1 leaving for Uni in 3wks. DS2 starting A levels this week. They both work in the same 4*Hotel. They have learnt many new skills including silver service and bar work (though serving teas and coffees when under age).
It has taught them responsibility, enabled maturity and has helped them develop socially. It was also good to use in the Personal Statement for Uni and could be helpful to get work off campus when away from home and struggling financially.
During college they worked for about 2-3 evenings a week and did 8hrs on Sunday. DS1 still managed to fit in his study and get the grades he needed for his Engineering degree.
Hotel work is varied and as previously mentioned some students are going off to Uni so there will be vacancies at this time. They also get to wear a dinner jacket and bow tie!

[Mrsjay]

hiya yes my dd works and started college last year and works at the weekends in a suoermarket college courses isn't really full time these days so they have time to work dd starts uni this week she has worked a lot of shifts over the summer, it keeps petrol in her car and the other bits and pieces she wants/needs, your dd should start looking places will be taking on for christmas that is how dd got started and was kept on.

[SecretSquirrels]

DS1 about to start year 12. He did the lifeguard qualification but has had no luck finding work. He was going to wait now until half term as he is doing 5 AS subjects and isn't sure how much spare time he'll have.
Part of me wants to push him to try harder to find a job because the main reason he hasn't succeeded is his anxiety about the whole interview process. All the more reason to get the practice IMO but it's hard to make him do it. He's not motivated by money, not because I give him too much, I don't.
I hadn't thought of there being a few vacancies pop up due to students going away.

[bruffin]

Secretsquirrels
Our local sports centre did a big recruitment in December last year. They took on 8 new staff to replace the older ones that went of to uni. DS doesnt just do life guarding there he also looks after the health suite, including cleaning and putting sport equipment out etc, but it does mean he gets a lot more hours work as they are only allowed to lifeguard for about 2 hours at a time.

[SecretSquirrels]

Bruffin Ideally I'd prefer him to do casual work rather than commit to every weekend. Then if his school work / exam schedule is heavy he could do less.
He is still doing regular lifeguard training to keep his hand in. I'll give him a couple of weeks to settle in at college then a nudge to reapply. It knocked his confidence when he didn't get the job. Twas a lesson to him as academic stuff always comes easily to him.

[bruffin]

The work DS does at the sports centre is casual work, but there is a lot of work going if he wants it. He usually does one shift a week in term time.

[mumblechum1]

DS is in the Territorial Army so works one evening a week and one weekend a month plus he gets paid for other training inc a fortnight in Cyprus in Summer.

It's not much but will hopefully stand him in good stead when he joins the Army either after Uni or A levels depending on results.

He also does lawnmowing and occasional labouring.

[febel]

My elder two have always worked from 16 onward..it helps in the job market and when you go to uni cos it shows you are not afraid of hard work, can turn up on time, be reliable and , if you work in MacDonalds or with the public, that you can deal with the public and people you don't know. Will also help in getting a full time job in later life. The only thing we did say, was if it interfered with studies too much then perhaps would have to be dropped and they would have to manage on less money! My elder two both liked being able to earn their own money, to do with what they wanted, and both worked through uni too (tho not at MacDonalds) Youngest has just got a paper round. I think it's something to be applauded and encouraged

[booklava]

My DD1 starts at college on Monday and has an interview for weekend work tomorrow. And is taking out her CVs today in case she doesn't get that one. She wants to work and I want her too as well.
My DS who is also at college hasn't had a paid job (has done voluntary work for last 3 years) but is now looking for work so he can fund Uni and the possible gap year he'd like to have.

[slipperandpjsmum]

Thanks so much for all your replies. Showed my ds. He has now applied for 3 jobs!!

[Mrsjay]

He has now applied for 3 jobs!!


good for him and good luck on the job hunt