O/T Jobs for kids

I never quite thought about the entry level job market, since it was pretty decent when I was a kid. You just went out and found a job and that was that. Well, my 17 yo daughter has spent the last year looking for a job locally. She finally found one working at a restaurant for about 12-16 hours per week. It dawned on me that kids these days might not have such any easy time finding work as entry level people.

I have never personally let lack of a 'job' stop me from working. If I couldn't find a job, I would make my own. Sooooo, perhaps I could help my kids do the same thing. It would be a shame for them to HAVE TO move away just to earn a living.

Does anyone have any ideas of useful businesses that might be needed in a small town? I'm not thinking along the lines of odd jobs, etc. but actual businesses that have the potential to become careers.

Just thinking on the weekend.

Christopher

I often thought that a bead blasting business would be profitable. A good air compressor and a blast cabinet. The person would need to be knowledgeable on the items and the media used.
Antique ers might want something soft cleaned, and another might want some iron cleaned. Do a good job and not harm anything.

Depends on what her talents/interests are. Does she have a talent that she could use to teach youngsters? Piano? Dance? Horseback riding? Is she planning to go to college? If so, then resume building activities (i.e. volunteerism) can mean more than flipping burgers at a fast food joint.

I think that today's kids have to "think outside the box" to make it in life. It's no longer graduate from HS (or even college), yell out "here I am World" and get a job.

One area that I think will make someone employable just about anywhere is in the health care field. Doctor, nurse, health-care aide, etc.

If she likes the farm life, maybe start a temp business hiring kids to work for farmers, etc. Seems like contract labor is the name of the game these days with a lot of companies.

Anyway, good luck to her.

Guess that depends on your definition of a biz. My dad was a home remodeler. He did primarily bathrooms but ventured into anything the home owner wanted. That was a plus for me as I had work anytime he had a need. Down side was it wasn’t what I call real regular. Most of the time I ran my own lawn care stuff. At the time I really didn’t consider it a biz per say but looking back for a 15-16 year old I think it was a pretty good gig.

One of the hardest things today’s kids seen to overcome is the concept of work. The grow up watching their parents and expect to walk out of high school right into what it took their parents 20+ years to get to. In my case, coming from a fairly poor family, I learned early to pay my own way. Hence, with a $20 lawn mower and about a dozen happy customers I could pull down $30-40 week. That little venture also taught me a skill I still use today (how to fix shut). One of the best things my dad did for me was to let/make me pull my own. He didn’t supply the gas, I had to save for it. Same with oil, repairs, and replacement when you find a shovel head in 10” of grass.

As for your daughter. What does she like to do? Look around what do the folks in your town need or would be willing to pay for. Off the top of my head;

If she is into animals, some kind of animal service. Dog walking, pet grooming, sitting service.
If she doesn’t mind labor, house cleaning, Yard work.
If she is into food or cooking, maybe she could resell doughnuts, make pastries, or cook for older folks.
Is she creative, with the internet she doesn't have to be limited to a small town. I have to in-laws that make and sell jewelry on the internet.

Doors wide open it will be up to her. Just make sure she does her homework and is willing to go the extra mile.

Nursing, or accounting. Or electrician or plumber. I'd stay away from manufacturing.

About the only "growth industry" these days is government.

Dean

Accounting isn't so great in this economy. besides they have changed the rules it requires a Masters degree to get a CPA.

Anything that has to do with servicing the aging population is good, Nursing currently has a glutt unlike 5 years ago,

Auto mechanics is going well
Anyone who can work on the electronics of todays cars can write thier own ticket.

Computer careers have stagnated other than low paying call centers.

My son got some training in electronics and so has been keeping busy, hes able to work out of his home but travels a lot. I have thought that residential airconditioner work would be steady work in most locations as most everybody has or wants it and they probably wont do with out it.

Would stay away from accounting unless you have an MBA and CPA - positions being automated or being outsourced - we are losing about 30 positions where I work by the end of the year, all going to India.

Kids around me are screwed on finding jobs. The livestock guys are hiring the Mexicans and not the local kids. My son worked at two different hog operations and each time the owner started to pay Mexicans cash under the table then let the US kids go. The convenience stores around here will not hire you if you are under eighteen. Can"t because they sell beer and cigarettes, in Iowa you have to be eighteen to sell either. Many restaurants won"t hire you if your are under eighteen if they have a deep fryer. OHSA will not allow kids in a "dangerous" work environment.
HAVE you seen that crazy Congress woman from California that wants to make it illegal to hire any one under eighteen to work on farms??? She says it is to stop exploitation of illegal immigrant children. My lawyer says that the law, as written right now, will stop you from hiring too. No more high schoolers putting up hay if this law passes.
So many raise cain about how today"s kids will not work but will not say anything about the stupid laws keeping many from working.

P.S. By the way each of the hog farmers that hired the Mexicans got a visit from INS. One is paying a twenty five thousand dollar fine. The other is in hot water with the IRS for not reporting wages. I did not call anyone, but am cheered to see them get what they needed.

Many good comments and ideas here and I have to add this: Hiring a teen often gets you....well I have soccer camp and cheerleading camp and BB camp and VB camp and and softball camp and weightlifting and summer sports leagues and family vacation and 4-H and FFA so during the fair is out and......lets see....."I can work for you July 10th from 2:30 to 6:38 PM."

Doggie day care and dog/cat boarding seems to be a part time thing that could expand into something permanent. People will pay big bucks for boarding services to take care of Fido while they are on vacation.