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Teenagers

Jobs for teens while at college?

9 replies

Dealam · 23/04/2017 09:34

Hi all - hoping your collective wisdom can help us out here.

I'm trying to help my DS (17) to get a job that fits in with his college routine and we're a little bit stuck for ideas.

A little background first, he is (mildly) autistic and is also attending CAMHS for anxiety related issues along with depression. His move to college last year was pretty difficult for him and we've been focused on trying to get him at the level where he is coping with his college work.

However, with support from the college and CAMHS he is now getting there and myself, his counsellor and actually he himself feel it would beneficial on lots of levels for him to try to get a job - increased independence, his own income, increased confidence and also might sharpen up his motivation for what he wants (or doesn't want) to get out of college / potentially Uni.

The issue is, I don't really know where to start. The complexities of his situation have probably clouded my judgement as to what he could / couldn't do - i.e while his autism is mild, he will need someone who understands this and can take the time to teach him the ropes of whatever it is he does - but also lots of the places I would have automatically gone to (our local McDonalds / Costa, for example) seem to have overly complex recruitment processes that just don't fit in with his current studying.

We've tried the local library and looked at council website too so I suppose I'm just here for some other ideas of where your teens have ended up working and any advice on helping them into work? I'm likely missing something really obvious!

OP posts:
Mumofjustthe1 · 23/04/2017 14:25

I would suggest as a means of confidence building, with regarding work, to do a short term voluntary role in a charity shop. This would give home a little experience with the expectations of a job and then perhaps look at small private shops rather that huge chains that now have these ridiculously long complicated recruitment regimes. Hope that helps. TBH my ds is 16 and very keen to start work too. He has had a few interviews which was two hours long with a 30 other applicants. It really is very difficult at this time I wish your ds happiness, health and successful job hunting Smile

Leeds2 · 24/04/2017 11:09

A friend's DS is helping at Kumon after school maths classes. He is doing A Level maths though, so if your DS doesn't do that it might rule him out.

befuddledgardener · 24/04/2017 11:12

Yes some voluntary work to develop skills and confidence. Plus will give him good references.

What does he want to do when older?

befuddledgardener · 24/04/2017 11:13

Yes maths tutoring or similar?

TranquilityofSolitude · 24/04/2017 11:21

My DD is in yr13 and works in Costa. She has an 8hr/week contract but she can always do more if she wants to. I don't recall that the recruitment process was complicated - she went to an evening interview in a Costa in town and then had a trial shift in a local Costa.

If your DS can manage it I would recommend Costa. DD initially had a 16hr contract but they were happy for her to cut back to 8 hours when she went into Yr13. She is planning to go to university in the autumn and they have said she can work in a Costa during term time wherever she goes and then at her usual one in the holidays if she wants to carry on. She also has a Whitbread card and can use it to get discounts in Premier Inn and various restaurants which has been really handy when we've been going to open days.

Dealam · 25/04/2017 12:31

Hi all,

Thanks for the feedback - yes we had volunteering at a charity shop on our radar too - looks like that's a good option to explore! and thanks for the info about Costa - maybe I was just over complicating it myself :) - I'll take a further look.

And what he wants to do when older? That's the real nub of the issue I think as he is almost completely aimless - is that common?

There's definitely an element to this that he needs to go and experience what the world of work is like, as he likely doesn't appreciate the flexibility etc that he has at the moment and might help sharpen up his ideas - equally it might bring into sharp relief the fact that academia isn't for him and he's much better suited to work - which would be great too.

OP posts:
Allthebestnamesareused · 25/04/2017 19:13

How is his swimming? You can do the lifesavers course for around £200 (you have to be 16 when asessed) and most pools and gyms round here are crying out for lifeguards. My DS is 15 and has plans to fo it in October half term

northernglam · 25/04/2017 19:22

Your council may have a supported employment team that he's eligible for help from. They usually have local employers signed up to schemes where can do for e.g. a 3 month placement + the council provide training in having an autistic employee to the company and also provide a mentor / supporter for review meetings etc.

BackforGood · 25/04/2017 20:50

Yes, it's very normal to not know what you want to do at 17 and a lot older Smile
He might do better in smaller cafes / shops, where there aren't shift systems and different people he works with, or that are supervising him each time he goes in.
If money isn't an issue at the moment, then maybe a small independent business would let him volunteer / do some work experience for a while so he then has some experience to apply for a paid position a few weeks down the line?

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