The Benefits of Part-time Employment

Besides the obvious benefit of earning a paycheck, a part-time job teaches your teen both hard and soft skills needed for future career opportunities.

Why It Matters

Employment skills last a lifetime.
A job commitment requires your student to show up on time, teaching responsibility and independence, which help establish a work ethic for the future career your student will eventually have.
Hard skills are learned.
Through on-the-job training, your student may learn to operate machinery, or a computer or software system, that is specific to an industry. Most retail establishments like restaurants and grocery stores have unique cashier systems that improve their overall functionality and offer streamlined customer service to their clients. Forklift drivers and lawn care specialists should know the basics of the machines they operate, which can often lead to other specialized skills or certifications.
Soft skills are just as, or more, important than hard skills.
Some of the most important skills that employers desire in their employees are communication, leadership and professional skills. In many cases, these skills far outweigh the basic qualifications a job requires. Businesses rely upon their employees exhibiting courteous and respectful customer service, friendliness, and confidence.

What Your Student Can Do Now

Explore internship possibilities.
If your student has already identified a future career, the summer months offer an ideal time to explore internship opportunities. In some cases, an internship may lead to full-time employment after high school graduation or during college breaks.
Polish social skills.
A part-time job can put some distance between students and their electronics, since most employers prohibit the use of cellphones during work hours. Employees with a positive attitude who are able to exchange simple pleasantries and are polite and respectful to customers tend to earn recognition and promotion in the workplace.
Make a plan for the earnings.
If your student plans to attend college or a training program after high school, a significant portion of the earnings should be earmarked for that future goal. To help save their earnings, consider opening a 529 college savings account. In Iowa, College Savings Iowa is the state-sponsored 529 plan for Iowa residents that lets you save for education expenses and provides certain tax benefits. Since May 29 is 529 Savings Day, it’s the perfect time to learn more about the benefits of opening a 529 account for your student or making an extra contribution to an already existing one. Register for your chance to win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa account contribution at Iowa529Contest.com. Don’t live in Iowa? Check here for a list of states with 529 plans.

What Your Student Can Do Later

Update a resume.
By now, your student should have developed a resume, which should be kept current with new jobs and skills. Your student may also wish to keep a list of employers who may be able to provide a letter of recommendation later on.
Learn from experience.
Each job teaches a worker more than just the daily duties of that job. Working with others, related jobs, office or technical skills, managing deadlines and leadership skills are some of the things that your student may pick up through employment. Your student can learn many things from even a less-than-ideal working environment.

What You Can Do

Encourage your student to work, within reasonable limits.
Explain why you think it’s important for your student to have a job. If a particular job will require more hours than your student can reasonably work or is otherwise unmanageable, be clear about the limits that should be considered.
Be a resource.
Your student may need help locating openings or internships, completing applications, and preparing for interviews. Conduct a mock interview with your student to help ease anxiety and help your student understand the expectations employers have. Create scenarios your student might encounter while working, such as a disgruntled customer, and discuss possible solutions for handling them.

Next Steps

Be sure to complete the survey questions at the end of this article to be entered into the 529 deposit giveaway!

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