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Original poster

To ask how old your DC were when they got their first job?

159 replies

HighlandCow78 · 27/09/2024 22:27

I’m curious as to how how old were your DC when they got their first job - Judging by DD’s peers and friends’ DC kids seem to be waiting until they are far older nowadays to get one, most seem to wait until after A levels meanwhile I was doing a paper round at 14!

DD is 20 and has only just landed her first part time role. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really happy for her - she did well in competitive interviews and now has an exciting role at a lovely local business which she’s really looking toward to, but I definitely expected her to get one far earlier. Granted, she turned 16 during lockdown (so no jobs really about) and went through a tough few years due to ill health but even without these struggles she really isn’t the odd one out amongst her peers. It seems quite common for young adults to graduate these days having never done any paid work - just volunteering and internships.

What has changed so much that this is now the norm?!

OP posts:
Original poster
HighlandCow78 · 27/09/2024 22:39

Ponderingwindow · 27/09/2024 22:36

I’m in the U.S. so it may be different. DD got a summer job at a non-profit as a volunteer at 14. She was asked back to do a paid position for the summer when she was 15. We imagine she will keep that job each summer through high school. It’s very flexible and they don’t mind that she has weeks with other commitments as long as she is available most of the summer.

she doesn’t really work for the money. She is investing her earnings in a pension plan. We just think it is good for her to have a job for the experience.

most of her friends have jobs too. My colleagues in bigger cities say their teens are not as lucky. They don’t have young teens doing things like helping out in supermarkets anymore, but my area still operates a bit like it’s the 1980s.

That sounds absolutely fantastic - you’ve raised a very wise girl for her to be properly saving at such a young age!

OP posts:
Frowningprovidence · 27/09/2024 22:37
  1. Found it very hard to get work before his 16th.
Ponderingwindow · 27/09/2024 22:36

I’m in the U.S. so it may be different. DD got a summer job at a non-profit as a volunteer at 14. She was asked back to do a paid position for the summer when she was 15. We imagine she will keep that job each summer through high school. It’s very flexible and they don’t mind that she has weeks with other commitments as long as she is available most of the summer.

she doesn’t really work for the money. She is investing her earnings in a pension plan. We just think it is good for her to have a job for the experience.

most of her friends have jobs too. My colleagues in bigger cities say their teens are not as lucky. They don’t have young teens doing things like helping out in supermarkets anymore, but my area still operates a bit like it’s the 1980s.

Wowwellokthen · 27/09/2024 22:36

16 for both my DS and DD

APMom6 · 27/09/2024 22:36

My eldest 3 were involved in a sport so were working coaching at 15. My other child was 18 when they started. Both me and DH were 15 when we had part-time jobs.

Imperfectionist · 27/09/2024 22:36

14 - cafe (3 hour shift on a Saturday)

LessOfMe99 · 27/09/2024 22:33

Dd1 14. DD2 15.

Motomum23 · 27/09/2024 22:32

My oldest started at 16 and had saved enough to buy his first car at 17 (£1400) he's just been promoted too

Mcginty57 · 27/09/2024 22:29

Eldest dd was 14 started working in a cafe, then moved to Mcdonalds then TK Maxx and has worked throughout uni in a job to go with her course and youngest dd was 13 in a cafe and is still there. My son is 11. Not sure hel be working as young as his whole weekends are taken up by his sport.

Edited to add my eldest is the same age as yours.