First job for a high school senior?

Question

Hi, since it's second semester of my senior year, I think I'm going to cut back on the schoolwork and get a job. I'm not sure what I should look for, though. It may sound snobbish, but my standards are a bit higher because I feel that I'm smart and hardworking enough not to have to begin in fast food/grocery store environments (my school record and the college I'm attending in the fall can back this up). I also fear overqualification (if the job is too mundane, I'd get bored and my efficiency would go down...we walked about this in economics at school). With that in mind, what are some good job ideas for a smart high school senior?

Answer 1

I'm not gonna lie. You do sound snobbish. I guess some of it would depend on the caliber of the school that you are attending in the fall. If you are talking Ivy-caliber then, I would suggest maybe opening up an account at Career Builder and see if you can land some sort of receptionist job somewhere.

But, all in all I don't think you are necessarily going to land a great job at this point being a high school senior. Not to say that you WON'T, but the odds are against you.

Also, there is nothing wrong with working in fast food/retail. You will be around peers that are more your age range, and you might even making up some really good friends. I met my girlfriend while I worked at Gap, and now I'm happy as can be. Working retail also gave me experience that showcased my work ethic, and led to internships blah blah.

All in all, good luck with your search.

Answer 2

Best Buy so you can get the coolest and latest gear to put in your dorm and or house. Ya know TV,stereo and computer. Lets see maybe take a few college classes to become a fireman. You could have that certification by the time you graduate high school. Something to fall back on if need be later. Go apply at your local hospital, there is all kinds of jobs for intelligent hardworking guys. Good Luck

Answer 3

You should probably try for some kind of part time work in say an insurance agency or lawyers office, you might learn something usefull (such as why you may wish to be or not be either of the examples) let alone any practible skills picked up.

BTW, the Food Service industry still isn't a bad idea if only for the experience of being able to say: "Yeah I waited tables for a while in my youth." To be good at say waiting tables you need to be sociable and efficient and etc etc. Besides you get to meet a lot of different people over time (cash tips could also be unreported come tax season by the absent minded).

Answer 4

If you know what kind of a career you want to have then try finding internships in your field. (Check with your advisor.) Internships are not paid usually but allow you to test out the profession in a live environment and you can make contacts which will be helpful to you in the years ahead. See if you can graduate early - take some college classes and get a head start on college instead of working if you don't have a financial problem.

Doing volunteer work in your community is very important for high school seniors.

Run your own business . . . find a need in your community and hire yourself out - that way you don't have to answer to a boss - you can make your own hours. Drive for senior citizens? Do tutoring. Work with disadvantaged kids. Use the smarts you have to inspire younger children - be a role model for them.

What do you like to do? Sports? Finance? Marketing? Accounting? Medicine? Legal field? Work up a resume and start sending them out.

Employers will not want to hire people who are temporary (and may discriminate against youth) if they have to make a big training commitment so if you find something you want to do, offer to work for free for 2 weeks or at half wages.

Whatever you choose to do be sure to fulfill your commitments and treat it like an important step in your career.

Answer 5

If you are a high school senior maybe you shouldn't worry about your snobbish ,and just get what ever job will take you ,work in a restaurant or fast food great way to meet people you don't make a lot but the tips are good maybe you can work in a Assembly plant

Answer 6

Haha. I was thinking waitress until I read that last line. It's really not that bad of job. My sister worked as a waitress/hostess for two years before going off to college. She also worked at Abrocrombie and Fitch. Folded clothes, worked the register, helped people find stuff. Typical stuff. She had no complaints. Not a bad job at all.

Answer 7

My first job was at a movie theatre in my junior year. I was very over qualified, but hey, it's money. You gotta take what you can get. I'm also in my second semester of my senior year. Right now I work at a local community college at a multimedia tech. If you don't have any job experience you're gonna have to take what you can get. Also, keep the job for awhile -- at least six months to show you're dedicated. It's tough -- I couldn't stand the theatre.

Answer 8

The first thing you should always do is proof read and run spell check. As example, did you "walk or talk" about this. A swelled head only gets you a bigger hat that falls off quicker. You haven't even said if you are qualified much less overqualified for fast food. What is in you back ground that qualifies for something better?

Answer 9

When my daughter was a senior, she attended school half a day and worked half a day through a school sponsored work program. One of the recommendations was that you maintained a 4.0 gpa (which she did). She worked at a bank in the loan operations dept and really loved it. That was 7 yrs ago, and she is still working at a bank (a different one now) and has really advanced. She has been able to put herself through college and has her bachelors degree in business.

Answer 10

Look to your home town businesses. A lot of them will hired people to do simple secretary work like answer phones, show visitors where they need to be, filing. These jobs will also pay better than fast food etc jobs.