were is the best place to work when you're f***ing young?

Question

I'm almost 17 and I NEED A JOB!!! And I am kind of afraid to work because the world seems more close minded now and friends of mine have been working and their co-workers act like their freaks just because their in the puck/goth subculture and my friends and I don't feel like working in Hot Topic!!!!!

Answer 1

Software companies. Young people know software and can test very effectively. More specifically games.

Find a local game company. Not just Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo but the actual developers. They're all over.

It's a great industry for young people to work because the old farts like me know that we're out of touch with the end-user. We value opinions from young kids and treasure the punks who have the gall to tell us something sucks. (Of course, you better be able to say why it sucks and suggest a couple ideas to make it better or else you're useless. That's where logic, reason, and the ability to articulate yourself come in handy -- things you learn in school.)

To find the game companies, start looking at the names of the developers of each game. Look the name up on the web. You can easily find the location of the developer. Like most research projects, once you get started you'll wind up with a huge list of companies and locations. I'll be surprised if one isn't within a short drive from you.

Once you have the list, contact them. Stop by in person. Explain your situation to a person. Tell them you are really interested in HOW the games are made not necessarily just playing the games.

Know that many people in the industry started as testers at your age. We left school anxious to get to work to see what the programmers fixed since we left last night. We stayed late and got free help with math homework from smart engineers. We stayed in the industry after school because it's fun and lucrative.

I'm sure there are other jobs and industries that are at least as rewarding for young people. However, there are precious few that are as fun.


--- Second post after reading some of the other answers ---

If you want to face customers, you have to look the part. If you're selling cute skirts at the Gap you should look like you know what you're talking about. If you're selling games you better look like you know what you're talking about. However, if you're making games or any other product who cares what you look like? Go down to the factory and check out what those people look like at work. Go to any software shop and look at what the developers look like. You'll see goth artists, you'll see grungy engineers and goofy designers. (Then you'll see me and laugh because a straight laced guy looks totally out of place.)

I suspect that you don't want to wear a cute smile and sell cute skirts at the Gap -- so don't. As for the comment that one poster made about low paying jobs for people who don't conform -- that's wrong. There are low paying jobs and high paying jobs whether you conform or not.

Answer 2

well try working in an environment that makes you feel comfortable because when you work in different environments and you are not use to them you will feel uncomfortable and you should want to work so you can have that experience. I am sorry to hear that people have a problem with your culture but the fact of the matter is regardless of what you choose to do you are still human and you have a brain so use it dont let them people make you are less than nothing because I am quite sure you put yourself on a petal stool and that is where you should be. Trying working at a skating rink, bowling alley, a place where they have a lot activity and you can fit in good luck.

Well working is a part of life and that is something you would want to do so that way you dont have to ask your parents for money and also that establishs a form of Independence for you. you can buy what you want and go where you want and save some of your money because as you mature each year your ideas about working will change remember your parents are not going to be here for ever and now is the time that you should start to do some odd and end jobs and also a permanent job. Getting a job will be so rewarding believe me it will. Try working somewhere you will be comfortable

Answer 3

Find out what interests you and then see if you can apply.

For instance, when I was in High School (1996) my school was right across the street from the mall and I had a close friend who was already working at Mrs. Fields. I knew I didn't want to work in a stuffy environment but also not fast food. I applied, got the position and loved it!!! I worked there for a couple of years and for a first job, I learned a lot... dealing with customer interaction, responsibilities, etc.

I'm now not working with food of any kind, but for a first job it was great. I think that overall you have to work somewhere that interests you!

Answer 4

Goth or not, people have to look professional where they work. People do dress differently, each of us has our own appearance, but you do have to look respectable in the workplace, Goth or not. There are some Goth people who change for work, then go back to Goth afterward which is cool. It's not that people are close-minded, but they have standards when it comes to how we should look in the workplace, when I was a teen, I had to cut my hair, which I didn't like, but I did it because I needed a job, so I could have money school. There comes a time when you ask yourself, "what is more important, my appearance, or a job?"

Also, it wouldn't hurt to stop using phrases like "f****ing young".

Answer 5

You have to decide what is more important, a job or your personal style. You may even find some places that are willing to let you wear what you want. You need to figure out style-wise what you are flexible on since you "need" a job. If you are not into retail or restaurants, you could try something like telemarketing or data entry. Unfortunately a lot of people are always gonna have their own judgement about others who look different, and they don't give the person the chance and see what matters and that is the inside of them. Good Luck!!

Answer 6

First of all, you can belong to whatever subculture you desire when you are off the job, but prospective employers want to hire clean, well-groomed, mainstream type individuals to work in their establishments. That means leave the eyebrow piercings, black nail polish and grunge wear at home.

Second, clean up your communication skills. If you walk into a business hoping for work, you will be far ahead of the pack if you speak intelligently, without popular phrases and bad language. Oh...and leave the eye-rolling and your boyfriend/girlfriend at home.

Good luck on the job search.

Answer 7

Think about what you like to do with your free time and try to find a position doing that. I enjoyed working on computers, for example, so my first job was at a Best Buy. My friend enjoyed cooking, so he got a job at Panera. Another of my friends enjoyed the arts, so he got a job at Hobby Lobby making frames for pictures. If you like clothing, etc. try to find a job at the Gap or something. Since you're over 16, you're legal to work without a youth work permit. Get a job you enjoy and you'll make money - while having fun!

Answer 8

OMG! YOU are 17 and can't find a job!? I started working when I was 15 and a half!! Wow! What state do you live in!?

Anyways, why don't you apply at Target, In & Out, Sonic, A&W, The Mall, Babysitting, Mowing lawns, walking dogs, Michaels, scrab booking store, any craft store, Cold Stone Creamery, Baskin Robbins, a pizza joint, grocery store, animal shelter?

You have plenty of options!

Answer 9

If you really want to work, ? Why ? money ? or just the work ?
The "work" cannot possibly be the reason ! So here is the deal,
take it out, walk it around, and air it out ! If nothing shakes out of the trees, stop thinking about work for the sake of work!

Go around town, use your charm, locate 5 places suitable for a car wash, hire employees on commission, use a school project for the excuse you want free water and use of the grounds.

You'll need ropers, "girls in bikinis" to flag the traffic in. Employ your managers on commission, come around at the end of every day and pick up the profits, pay the employees off and take your profits, invest in sharebuilder.com ( they take minors) buy some
good stocks like CAT and HD and don't ever think about working for anyone again! Work for yourself ! This is the best advice you will ever get in your entire life! I got 2 dumbass black guys who work with me, they do 20 cars a day at our country club @
$25 a car, plus we have them on the clock for hourly pay.

Answer 10

Places should not discriminate based on the way you look. Odds are, you will have to wear a uniform at work so it doesn't matter what teenage sterotype you come from.

All you need to do is look sharp and have a good personality for your interview and you should get a job just about anywhere!