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Career Prep for Teens

Here’s how to prepare, explore careers, and find the job you love!

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Are you a teenager who is wondering what to do with your life? You are not alone. A lot of teenagers feel this way. Choosing a career can be difficult for anyone, but it can be especially tough for teens who are just starting to explore the world of work. It’s a way to make a difference in the world and a chance to learn new skills and grow as a person.

There is no surprise that teens possess so many great qualities that continue to develop through education, sports, hobbies, and volunteer activities. As a teenager, you are better prepared for your future than you realize!

The good news is that there are many different career options for you to choose from. In this article, we will discuss some of the best options for teenagers looking for a career. We will also provide tips on choosing the right career for you and when to get your parents to help!

Personal Teen Exploring Expedition

Have fun with it as you explore your interest in different careers. Here are some tips to help you get started.

We want you to ask yourself a few questions.

What are you passionate about?

What do you like to do for fun?

Do you tutor other kids or your siblings? Do you babysit, or are you a student school counselor, rake leaves, math wiz, animal lover, build things?

What skills do you have that could be used in a career?

These are all potential career paths you could explore. For example, if you love animals, you could become a veterinarian. If you like to build things, you could become an engineer. You get the idea!

Once you answer these questions, it will be easier to find the right career for you.

Don’t worry if you don’t have an answer to these questions. The point is to get you thinking about what you might like to do with your life. The more you explore, the more options you will discover! This is just the beginning of your journey.

Your career should be something that you enjoy doing.

Teen Jobs First Glance

Allowance money is good, but you might be thinking about how to gain more responsibility and a way to show your independence. Getting a job is a great way to do this! It can also help you save money for things like college, a car, or your first apartment. The best careers for teenagers vary depending on the person’s interests and skills.

Ten Popular First Jobs for Teenagers

  1. Neighborhood Tutor: A tutor aids classmates who are struggling in their school subjects.
  2. Salesperson: A salesperson is someone who sells products or services to customers.
  3. Fastfood Assistants: Such as Mcdonald’s, Arby’s, Subway is great for teens who like to multi-task and work with customers.
  4. Student counselor: This is great for high school seniors who want to help other students with college planning and career advice.
  5. Daycare Assistant: This is a great job for teens who are patient and good at working with children.
  6. Animal care: This job is perfect for animal lovers who are looking to work with animals.
  7. Delivery Driver: This job is perfect for teens who have a driver’s license and are good at driving.
  8. Website developers: These are great for teens who want to design websites and like to develop codes.
  9. Social Media Manager: Posting events, scheduling content is a great job for creative teens.
  10. Librarian Assistant: This job is perfect for book lovers who are looking for a career in the field of education.

The best way to find a job you love is to try out a few different careers first. You can do this by volunteering, interning, or taking on part-time jobs. This will give you a better idea of what you want to do with your life.

When it comes to choosing a career, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best thing you can do is explore your options and find a career that you are passionate about.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are many other careers out there for you to explore! The occupational handbook is a great resource to learn more about different careers.

Sailing Through Assessments

Aptitude and personal assessment tests for teens are a great way to help you figure out the type of work that might be a good fit for you. Some assessments can help you figure out your interests, values, and skills. These assessments can help you explore different careers and find the best one for you!

There are many different types of assessments, but here are a few of the most popular assessments:

Interest assessments: Interest assessment tests help you determine what type of work interests you.

Skills assessments: Skills assessments help you figure out what type of work you are good at.

Values assessments: Values assessments help you figure out what is important to you in a career.

Personality assessments: Personality assessments help you figure out your type of work personality. Another common assessment, SAT and ACT exams, are assessments that most high school students take. These assessments help colleges determine if a student is a good fit for their school during admissions.

Top 4 Career Assessment Resources for Teens

1. O*Net

O*Net is a website sponsored by the US Department of Labor. This website has assessments to help you figure out your interests, skills, and values.

2. My Next Move

My Next Move is a website sponsored by the US Department of Labor. This website has assessments to help you figure out your interests and skills.

3. The Occupational Handbook

The Occupational Handbook is a book published by the US Department of Labor. This book has assessments to help you figure out your interests, skills, and values.

4. Careeronestop

Careeronestop is a website sponsored by the US Department of Labor. This website has assessments to help you figure out your interests, skills, and values.

Each type of assessment has its own set of questions. Once you take an assessment, it’s important to analyze the results and figure out what they mean for you. For example, suppose you take an interest assessment that shows that you are interested in science. In that case, you might want to explore a career as a doctor or scientist. If you take a skills assessment and it shows that you are good at problem-solving, you might want to explore a career as a lawyer or a detective.

These assessments can be a great way to figure out what you want to do with your life. However, it is important to remember that they are just a starting point. You should always explore different careers to find the best one for you!

Stress Management For Teens

Searching for careers and taking assessments can be stressful. As a teenager, you probably deal with a lot while thinking about your future. This can come from school, your job, family, or friends. It is important to learn how to manage your stress so that it does not take over your life. There are many different ways to deal with stress. Some people exercise, some people meditate, and some talk to a therapist. The important thing is to find what works for you. Talk to friends, family, counselors, or loved ones to figure out what might work best for you. There are also resources and helplines available if you need help.

Talk To Your Parents

Get your parents involved. Ask them about their career and your interest. They may have some good insights about what you should do. Provide your assessments to your parents and discuss the information you learned. Need help getting the conversation started? Check out this resource on how to talk to your parents.

Find A Mentor

A mentor is someone who can help you figure out your career. They can help you with things like job shadowing, resume building, and networking. You can find mentors through family and friends, your school, or online.

Look For Online Resources

Many websites offer information about careers. Check out websites like O*Net, My Next Move, and Careeronestop. As we mentioned earlier, these websites provide assessments that can help you figure out your interests, skills, and values.

Attend Career Fairs

Career fairs are a great way to learn about different careers. They offer a chance to meet professionals in various fields and ask them questions. Career fairs are usually held at local schools or community centers.

Talk To A Counselor

If you are feeling overwhelmed, talk to a counselor. They are trained to help you manage your stress and determine what is best for you. Counselors can help you figure out your options and make a plan.

Do Your Research

The best way to figure out what you want to do is to explore different careers. Talk to people in various professions, read books and articles about many careers, and try out a variety of jobs. The more you know about different careers, the easier it will be to find the right one for you.

Take Your Time

Do not rush into a decision. This is a big decision, and you want to make sure that you are making the right one. Take your time, do your research, and talk to as many people as possible. We’re excited for you. You will know when you have found the right career for you!

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About the Author

Simone Feagen

Simone is a career coach whose clients have included Fortune 500 companies, healthcare industry professionals, and many more. She is a mother and has Six Sigma Lean Black Belt Professional (LBBP) and Six Sigma Champion Certified (SSCC) certifications from the Management and Strategy Institute.

Last updated on: November 27, 2023