The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

Source: Education.com by Amanda Morin Last summer your teenager lazed around the pool complaining he was bored. This summer, though, he's old enough to get a job. So should you send him to the nearest fast-food place to make him earn his keep? Before uttering an unequivocal and enthusiastic "yes!" take a little time to sit down with your teen and discuss the long-term effects of how he chooses to spend his summer. There are certainly benefits to your teen getting a summer job. When she's bringing home some money, she can start paying some of her own expenses. She'll be occupied, less likely to get into trouble and won't be complaining that she's bored. But did you know that getting a job, even as early as the summer after her freshman year, can make her more attractive to colleges, too? "Colleges want students to use their free time wisely and well," states Lisa Sohmer, a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling's ...

7 Ways Parents Can Help Kids With Job Searches Source: Radical Parenting by Vanessa Van Petten Parents often walk a fine line between wanting to help their kids find a job and making their child feel nagged and overwhelmed. There are few things to keep in mind when helping your child with the job search: 1) Know they are feeling scared too I often hear parents complain that the reason they are helping their kids with the search is because they do not think their kid’s are taking any initiative. This may or may not be true, but if you are feeling nervous and scared about them finding a job, then they are probably feeling it even worse. Be sensitive to the fact that they might not be showing you how vulnerable they really feel. 2) Approach Carefully You can ask once or twice in a few day period if your child needs help. If they say no, back off, they might need their space, otherwise they might feel you are nagging them. This is also a rather sensitive subject and can be packed with al...

With today's economy teens and kids are watching or hearing about many of their families having to cut back and become more aware of what they are spending. As parents we need to encourage our kids to look at their future - build a foundation - nurture a dream. With today's technology the ideas are always expanding. Check out this article and get your kids started in a positive direction! Source: Connect with Kids Teen Entrepreneur “I’m a gigantic believer in the value of an entrepreneurial experience- if there’s any time in someone’s life when they ought to take a risk it’s when they are not saddled with an enormous number of financial and family responsibilities.” – Andrea Hershatter, Ph.D., M.B.A. When today’s teens talk about what they want to be when they grow up … the answer that is becoming more common than ever is: my own boss. Like a lot of college freshmen, Sean Belnick has a job on the side. He works for a company that brings in more than 20-million dollars a yea...

A Guide for Teens: How to Find a Summer or Part-Time Job by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. Even if summer vacation is still a few months away for most teens, now is the time to plan and lay a foundation for landing that cool summer job you really want. Some caveats: This article is really geared to older high school and college teens, with a focus on summer jobs, not internships. For younger teens (under 15), check out another article I wrote, Job Ideas for Teens 15 and Younger: Beyond Babysitting . For college students looking for internship tips, we’re working on such an article, but for now, please visit: Quintessential Careers: College Internship Resources . The Action Plan for Teens Wanting a Summer JobThe first step you need to do is decide on the summer job you want or need -– in terms of the type of job, the location, the hours, the pay. You may not be able to find a job that meets all your needs, but given the current employment situation you should strive to find one that meets as ...

Is your teen thinking of getting a summer job? It is a great way to teach our kids responsibility and accountability. With today's economy, it is difficult for adults to find jobs - so teens will need a plan. Here is some great advice and tips from TeensHealth . Source: TeensHealth Thinking about a summer job? This year, as more people compete for fewer openings, you'll need to start looking early, do your research, and apply to more positions. So it's more important than ever to have a job search plan. What's the Right Job for Me? To find a job that's right for you, make a list of your interests and strengths, as well as your dislikes and the things you need some improvement in, and keep them in mind as you look for a job. For example, if you love books or writing, a job in a bookstore or library might be perfect for you. But if little kids drive you crazy, a babysitting job may not be ideal. A job or internship should be about learning as well as making money...

Connect with Kids “They end up experimenting in such a way that the use of that [extra] income is not really going toward beneficial things for them.” – Dr. Richard Winer, Psychiatrist For just seventeen, Adam Shapiro’s work experience is impressive. “I have worked at my synagogue… like three hours a week probably on a Sunday. I was assistant teacher. I’ve ref’d soccer before,” he says. But with major exams this week, the jobs will have to wait. “Are you studying the rest of the week?” his mom, Karen, asks him,“Yeah,” says Adam. “The number one priority for us is his studies. So, if he wanted to work and make extra money that was great, as long as it did not interfere with his studies,” explains his mom, Karen. Previous studies have found that kids who work just ten hours a week admit to cheating more often in school and taking less challenging courses. And a new survey by the Rand Corporation finds that kids who work are also more likely to use drugs and alcohol and smoke cigarettes. ...