Being forced to get a job..

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#1
Did any of you guys go through this when you were a teenager? I'm starting college in the fall and I really just wanted to have a summer that I could relax before hand.
My uncle is forcing me to get a job. It's not about the money, it's not like I'm asking for things and they're like "if you pay for it", it's mostly because I haven't been able to make friends here.
I don't want a job. I don't want the money. I'm already going to have enough responsibility next year, I want to relax this summer. I want to go stay with my brother for a few weeks this summer, but he's not letting me. MY OWN BROTHER. I want to go stay with friends for a weekend this summer, I also can't because they don't trust me.
I just DON'T want a job. I feel bad being that so many people want jobs, but I'm not one of them.

I'm whining so much right now, but I just don't want to grow up yet. I'm already starting college a year earlier, i've never really had a "normal" childhood. I just don't see why I have to do this.
- A whiny teenager
 

PWCorgi

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#2
Look at the bright side, you will most likely only be able to get a part time minimum wage job if you don't have any work experience, so you won't have that many hours and you won't make much money :p
 

~Tucker&Me~

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#3
Look into getting a part time job :) That way you have spending money (which really is nice, I promise :p) and can also enjoy your summer and 'relax'. 3 shifts a week, 4-5 hours each... It's honestly not bad at all. Plus school is totally different than working, you don't have to take work home and stress about upcoming tests, you just leave :p
 

Southpaw

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#4
I think most teenagers have parents that make them get jobs.
I didn't get a job until I was out of high school and that was "weird".... all my friends had jobs all through high school and had to pay for their cell phones, car insurance...

It sucks but it's a necessity and will make things easier for you in the long run. It's hard to get a job when you have no job experience, especially if you're older and STILL have no job experience... so you don't really want to wait until you NEED a job.
 
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#5
Hmmm, you guys are right. A part time wouldn't be bad...and I don't think it'll be in an office or something, so I'm not sure on how exciting it'll be.
I just feel like my summer is being taken away from me, I don't want to enter the real world. :p
 

sparks19

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#6
I think most teenagers have parents that make them get jobs.
I didn't get a job until I was out of high school and that was "weird".... all my friends had jobs all through high school and had to pay for their cell phones, car insurance...

It sucks but it's a necessity and will make things easier for you in the long run. It's hard to get a job when you have no job experience, so you don't really want to wait until you NEED a job.
This

It's not that bad. I had a part time job or two from the time I was 15 (other than babysitting) and it was awesome having that extra money that was MINE and it really wasn't hard. Plenty of time to relax plus some good life lessons. Plus having something to put on a resume will really help if you find you need a job in college and even afterwards.

Eventually the fun and games have to take a backseat to responsibility

I am not trying to be a jerk but you should look beyond "they are just mean" and look into how your actions and behavior may have triggered this crackdown
 

CaliTerp07

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#7
The summer after my senior year was soooooooo boring. It's just all this sitting around, waiting to go away to college. Getting a job is smart. It'll fill your time, and line your pockets a bit so that when college starts you'll have money for pizza or gas or ramen or whatever "luxuries" you want as a college student, and you won't have to work at all your freshman year while you're adapting to taking higher level classes.
 

Saeleofu

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#8
My parents actually WOULDN'T let me get a job until I got out of high school. They made an exception for a summer job at the zoo between my junior and senior years, but I was dying to get a job as soon as I graduated, and that's what I did.
 

AllieMackie

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#10
I think most teenagers have parents that make them get jobs.
I didn't get a job until I was out of high school and that was "weird".... all my friends had jobs all through high school and had to pay for their cell phones, car insurance...

It sucks but it's a necessity and will make things easier for you in the long run. It's hard to get a job when you have no job experience, especially if you're older and STILL have no job experience... so you don't really want to wait until you NEED a job.
^ Yup, all of that!
 

CaliTerp07

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#11
I don't really know what actions and behavior you mean
I don't know what you were referring to, but your original post implies that you've done things to upset people and/or break their trust.

I want to go stay with my brother for a few weeks this summer, but he's not letting me. MY OWN BROTHER. I want to go stay with friends for a weekend this summer, I also can't because they don't trust me.
If your friends don't trust you, I'd take a step back and try to figure out why, so that it doesn't happen again when you start over and make new friends at college in the fall. (Or at your job this summer :))
 

Xandra

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#12
Seriously building a resume ASAP is a good idea. The more work experience you have the broader your opportunities later on. You don't want to be me, i.e., 20 and trying to get a non fast-food job with a crap resume.

And like everyone else said, a part-time job is not really a burden. They can be fun and it's nice to have your own money. Time off is good to an extent but it can get boring too :p
 
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#13
No, my family doesn't trust me with my friends. My uncle doesn't trust me going to the store alone. My uncle doesn't even trust me when I'm with my older brother. My 30 year old brother that has taken care of me my whole life. My friends obviously trust me, lol, otherwise why would I want to be hanging around with them. It's my family, I'm not going to be all "I'm a teenager nobody understands me wah wah wah", but my uncle doesn't trust me at all, when I've nothing to break the trust or hurt anyone.
 

sparks19

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#14
I don't really know what actions and behavior you mean sparks, but I definitely agree that the job will give me some good life lessons. :)
I don't mean anything specific but i am sure they aren't just trying to torture you. Maybe they think you aren't applying yourself or have no work skills or are lazy (not saying you are but this is often the key reason behind parents or guardians making kids get a job. They may see it as being lazy)

I am just saying think about how they may be perceiving your actions and/or behavior to figure out why they are forcing this issue.
 

Red.Apricot

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#15
I loved working, and I'm not handling being unemployed well at all. I worked at a craft store for a year and change during college, and had a blast. I was working between 20 and 30 hours a week (averaging around 26), and I loved it. I like helping people find stuff, I like having money that's mine, I like learning new things (and all jobs have learning experiences), I like the people watching--it's a blast. I especially liked that I didn't depend on the job, so there was no pressure. Unlike many of my friends, I was privileged enough not to be working to support myself at 18, and school came first, so that helped me stand my ground over things like working during finals week. I told them when I was hired I wasn't going to do it, they tried to push it, and I said no, knowing if they decided to let me go, it wasn't the end of the world.

What about a compromise? Right now I'm volunteering at a local museum, and it's awesome! I give 'cart talks' to school groups, teaching kids (and adults) about birds, horns and antlers, the covered wagons, 1800's toys--it's really neat. I'm also learning public speaking skills, and how to correct small children in an effective and kind manner. The stories I'm getting are great too--last week a kid was licking the windows of the displays, and I had another kid (in kindergarten!) tell me that he liked the lighting in the bird hall because it set the specimens off to a good advantage. It's really fun, and I don't even like kids in a one on one setting. I'm finding that I do enjoy them in larger groups, though, which is something I'd never have known if I hadn't started volunteering.
 

thehoundgirl

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#16
Well, everyone has to face the real world one way or another. You should get a part time job even if it isn't many hours. It may give you more independence as well having your own $$. :)

I got a job at 16 and it was in the summer. It wasn't many hours so I was still able to make time for my family and friends. And whatever summer activities I wanted to do. A job isn't really going to hold you down, honestly if it's not many hours so you can still make time for summer activities!

I wasn't too thrilled with working for fast food as my first job.. but it was a job and I had my own money. :) You will also get some work experience too for resumes and not exactly what you want for a job.

Having a job isn't so bad. Your first job might not be one you love, because many first jobs aren't. But you will find your way in the world and one day; you'll find a job you love and not have to dread to going to work each day! :)
 

Dogs6

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#17
Honestly I actually like my jobs. They've been very good experiences for me. Plus the money is awesome at the end of the week. I'm trying to save up for a car and driving lessons. I couldn't do that without a job. Last night when I had to rush Aura to the vet last night I didnt have to stop and think can I afford this?

I've learnt so much as well. I'm a pretty antisocial person but I've become a lot more outgoing since I've been working. Both jobs have taken me all over the place and I've got to experience things I wouldn't have otherwise . I mean this summer I'm being given two horses to ride and show which is something that NEVER would have happened without me working one of the jobs im in. I wouldn't have transport for half the shows I've already been at without the other. It's also given me a chance to interact with people I never would have spoken to before. Surprising they can e nice people when you're trapped with them for 5-8 hours a week :p

Sure there are some days work sucks (like today when I have two exams and hardly any sleep) but my bosses are very understanding about me changing shifts if I need to.


If I were you I would go for it. Even if you get a crappy job you'll only be working a few days a week, you can do whatever on your days off, if you don't work weekends or get a weekend off then you can go and have a short visit with your brother or hang out with your friends. Working doesn't automatically lead to an end in your social life. You just have to adjust things a little until you get used to it. And you will make friends at work. If I managed it you should be fine lol.
 

GipsyQueen

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#18
Jobs are a fun way to meet new people in your area AND to get some great connections early on. Connections mean alot later in life - trust me. Even if you're apartment hunting. ;) It also looks good on your resumé.

I started working next to school when I was 18 (you're not really allowed to do many jobs under the age of 18 here). I waited tables for a few years in the evenings, and now I work at a small clothing store but will probably go back to waiting tables soon, as I earn more money that way.
If you get a job at a restaurant, you can work evenings and enjoy the summer during the day. :)

Also - I work between 15 and 20 hours a week, go to Uni and give math lessons and still manage to have a social life as well as lie outside in the sun by the river. :D AND you can go out and buy whatever you want without asking, because its the money you earned. :)
 

ACooper

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#19
I think most teenagers have parents that make them get jobs.
I didn't get a job until I was out of high school and that was "weird".... all my friends had jobs all through high school and had to pay for their cell phones, car insurance...

It sucks but it's a necessity and will make things easier for you in the long run. It's hard to get a job when you have no job experience, especially if you're older and STILL have no job experience... so you don't really want to wait until you NEED a job.
Add me to the "what Southpaw said" club :p

A part time job is good for sooooooooo many reasons! Managing your own money while having the safety net of living at home is important IMO :)

At this house, want a cell phone? Pony up the dough. Want to drive? You're paying, we supply the car, you supply gas, insurance, repairs and maintenance.
 

Dogs6

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#20
What Acoop said especially about driving. I'm expected to buy my own car, my parents will put me on their insurance but I still have to pay them and I have to pay for everything else as well. I also have to pay for my own driving lessons.

I want to drive so I need to come up with the money. The same way I want to go skiing next year. My parents would help me out but since I've got a job, they'll expect me to pay at least half of it.

There's so much more stuff you can do because it's your own money. I always feel guilty spending my parents money but when it's my money I don't have a problem spending it (unfortunately). I do always have some saved for emegencies. For example Aura needed to go to the vets last night. I paid for it. It was made very clear to me that when I wanted to keep Aura, I was expected to be paying her vet fees. And so far, just to spite me, she's been to the vets more often than any other dog in the house. My parents would never let her suffer if they could help it but had I not had the money for the vets last night Aura would have had to wait until Friday, when my dad gets paid, to go to the vet (it's been an expensive month).

Plus there's just something nice about having your own money to go out and spend and not have to worry what anyone else thinks about it :p
 

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