Every summer, countless articles emphasize the significance of summer jobs for teenagers. Often, these pieces recount authors’ experiences with various challenging roles—from hauling heavy materials at a foundry to navigating the complexities of being a novice home health aide, or even cleaning up at the local dump. We all have our tales of walking uphill both ways to school. For my oldest child, securing a job imparted valuable lessons that my husband and I struggled to teach through nagging, threats, or discipline.
When Alex turned 16, he was armed with a learner’s permit, poor grades, and an insatiable desire for his driver’s license. The only leverage we had was the potential to withhold that license. Although Alex was kind, humorous, and helpful, he had faced grounding during his freshman year and was undergoing tests for learning disabilities—common practice at that time. After a summer boarding school stint in New Hampshire, which involved living in a tent and attending classes six days a week, we saw a temporary improvement. However, by his junior year, he was back to receiving grades that were far from satisfactory.
Determined to help him earn his driver’s license, my husband and I laid out two options: either raise his grades to all Bs or secure a job—his choice. As junior year came to a close, Alex maintained his lackluster grades and didn’t pursue employment. On the third day of summer break, he donned a collared shirt and set out to find work. After a week of rejections, his spirits were low. Feeling empathetic, I decided to assist him, driving around town while offering encouragement. Sometimes I would even accompany him inside, relieved when he didn’t land certain jobs. “Would you really work in that secondhand store? It looks terrible,” I remarked once.
“Yes, Mom! I’ll work anywhere if it means I get a paycheck,” he replied, his determination shining through.
Eventually, he began to heed his father’s job-search advice, making phone calls and following up with thank-you notes. He reached out to friends who were already employed, seeking introductions to their bosses. My husband provided him with business cards to attach to his applications. After leaving his 40th establishment—a bustling local restaurant—Alex felt defeated. My heart ached for him. “Mr. Edwards, the owner, wasn’t there, so I just left my application and business card,” he explained.
“Remember, it only takes one offer,” I reassured him, likening it to selling a house or finding a partner in life.
On the way home, he mentioned that a waitress suggested he might find something if he was available in the mornings. I felt a glimmer of hope and encouraged him to call the next day. Reluctantly, he made the call and actually reached the owner. “Sorry, we don’t have any openings,” he was told, and I felt the disappointment wash over me.
Ten minutes later, the house phone rang. It was Mr. Edwards, the restaurant owner who had just informed him there were no positions available. “Is Alex there?” he asked.
I rushed upstairs, excited. I heard Alex chatting animatedly, and moments later, he came down with a newfound confidence. “I have an interview this morning!”
I drove him to the restaurant and waited outside. Soon, my phone buzzed with a text: “I got it!” We celebrated over breakfast, and he headed to the DMV to finally get his license. I had never seen him so proud and joyful.
Throughout the summer and into the following year, Alex worked diligently. While his work ethic flourished, his grades did not, which impacted his college acceptances. Disappointed in his options, he dedicated himself during his final semester and, with our guidance, opted for a gap year post-high school to reapply to colleges.
During his gap year in Central America, he juggled two jobs, discovering that once you land one job, it’s easier to find another. Fueled by a desire for independence and financial freedom, he returned to college, surprisingly at an institution that had initially rejected him but was willing to reconsider after his gap year. In his freshman year, he excelled academically and secured a paid internship in California.
Securing his first real job transformed Alex’s life. It was a personal achievement that demonstrated the value of perseverance, planning, adaptability, and a touch of luck. When his younger sibling sought employment advice, Alex chuckled and said, “Absolutely! Just hit the pavement. Walk into 40 places, and you’ll find something.”
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In summary, my child’s journey into the workforce taught him invaluable lessons about responsibility and determination that I couldn’t impart alone. The experience shaped his character and future endeavors.