It’s a Different Job Market for High School and College Students

by Shawn Collins on July 13, 2011

I got my first job at 15 as a dishwasher at a Friendly’s restaurant. It was an unpleasant job that paid the minimum wage at the time: $3.35.

But I needed the money and it was the best I could get. I even lied about my age to score that sweet gig, because I had time and energy, but no skills.

Has the statute of limitations passed for falsifying documents in the state of Maryland?

Anyhow, I was reading in the July/August issue of Inc. Magazine that 48.9% of Americans aged 16 to 24 had summer jobs in 2010. That’s the lowest since record keeping began in 1948, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Assuming this is due to a lack of jobs, and not a bunch of lazy deadbeats, it seems like we’ve got a generation of future affiliate marketers in the wings.

My oldest daughter is only 12, but I’m teaching her how to start and monetize a site with my step by step instruction on the site, Extra Money Answer.

She just finished chapter 3 and bought her first domain. She is on her way to developing skills and making her own job.

No way she’s going to be in the more than 50% of kids without a summer job in 4 years.

{ 8 comments }

Jonathan (in Italy) July 20, 2011 at 11:32 am: And you’re doing more than teaching her how to own a job… you’re teaching her how to own streams of revenue that come in whether she’s actually there or not… which is a whole different thing than owning a job. Congrats on helping her get a head start.
Shawn Collins July 16, 2011 at 12:36 pm: Congratulations on shedding the “normal job”.

I haven’t prepared a resume since the 90s, and I’m very happy about that.
Julian Hooks July 16, 2011 at 12:01 pm: Ever since my first job at 16 I’ve always held at least a part time job. After I got my first job and didn’t require spending money from my parents it became a way of life. I quit my most recent “normal job” on my birthday last year when affiliate marketing started bringing in full time money! Haven’t had to apply for a job since! Knock on wood :p
Kyle July 14, 2011 at 9:17 am: I think starting at a young age is good the younger the better.
Shawn Collins July 13, 2011 at 11:12 pm: I think it’s great to get kids started early, but I don’t think high school is too late by any stretch.
David Yorka July 13, 2011 at 11:01 pm: Teens?, Tweens? I know from working with Middle School Students that age 11 to 14 is when most students are eager to “earn and learn.” In cognitive psychology it is called Vocational Identity.

I have spent the last fifteen years working on “enhancing” what our schools, summer and after – school programs, tutor and mentors already do. High School is too late to start learning and earning. —-Our economic recovery depends on one thing — the love of learning and understanding cultivated to thrive.
Shawn Collins July 13, 2011 at 5:10 pm: Hey Matt – the economy these days is a scary, but it’s also an exciting time to create your own job. I don’t miss the days of very poor pay and being on my feet all day.

I don’t run any guest posts, so I’d suggest putting it up on EzineArticles.
Matt July 13, 2011 at 4:53 pm: I know, it’s pretty mad over here in the UK and even worse in Spain where I’m living next year (I’m a student). So glad I’ve got my affiliate income to keep me going and I think many more students might turn to the internet to earn money. I’ve written an article on how I’ve done it which I was gonna submit to Ezine, but email me if you’d be interested in publishing it (I’d only ask for the one backlink in return of course!!!)