Job Advice

[Matt L.]

Hey, guys. I just found out that there's not going to be any fall baseball this year because there weren't enough kids that signed up in my age division. So I was thinking about getting a job somewhere. My top three lists are K-Mart, CVS, and Adam's (a grocery store). I'm 16, and I've never had any work experience before. However, I have volunteered about two years ago almost every weekend for about three or four months at a convalescent home where my mom works. I'd like to know if you guys can offer any advice or anything on what type of job to get and whatnot.

I'm looking to be able to have some pocket change, but most importantly this is for helping my mom out. I don't want to go into the details, but my mom has to end up paying for two tuition bills of $30,000 (total of $60K). Basically, my high school bill along with my sister's isn't cheap either, and lunch prices have gone higher again at school, so mostly my money will be going towards my lunch money and to my mom. I was thinking of giving my mom half of my salary if I were to get a job right now.

 

[User 1019]

Get out of here, kid. You're about to get lit up.

 

[JakeandElwood]

May I ask why you came to the journalism board for this? Seriously though, go to anyplace you think may be a good place to work and ask if they need part-time help. Don't limit yourself to big chains. A mom and pop place could do just fine.

 

[Jay Sherman]

Re: Job Advice

You can get a job at any retail store with absolutely no relevant work experience. Good luck, with whatever happens.

 

[forever_town]

I'd recommend going to each of the places you're considering applying to and trying to talk to the people who work there. Try to get a sense of what it's like to work there, what things you'll need to know or learn, what the working environment is like there, etc.

I wish you luck wherever you end up working and with your family situation.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Get out of here, kid. You're about to get lit up.

TBF, you're such a cynic.

(But seriously, I got about two sentences in and said out loud, "Oh, no.")

Matt, like people have said, you're not likely to have a hugely different experience at the places you've listed. Out of the three, I'd say working at a grocery store sounds the most interesting -- seems like a lively environment.

 

[User 1019]

Get out of here, kid. You're about to get lit up.

TBF, you're such a cynic.

I'll kiss your ass if I'm wrong.

 

[luckyducky]

I was going to say the same thing, tbf.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Get out of here, kid. You're about to get lit up.

TBF, you're such a cynic.

I'll kiss your ass if I'm wrong.

In my experience here, clueless dumbasses (Pickle Juice) get lit up. The misguided but earnest can tap into the shred of humanity that still exists here.

Of course, I might well be proven wrong.

 

[Giggity]

Don't see how you can rip the kid - he's trying to help his mom out.

 

[Dickens Cider]

Get out of here, kid. You're about to get lit up.

TBF, you're such a cynic.

I'll kiss your ass if I'm wrong.

In my experience here, clueless dumbasses (Pickle Juice) get lit up. The misguided but earnest can tap into the shred of humanity that still exists here.

Of course, I might well be proven wrong.

**** you, Arnold, for suggesting we have humanity.

 

[mike311gd]

Yeah.

 

[User 1019]

I'm no human.


Assholes.

 

[zeke12]

You want to see inhuman, then somebody hire this kid.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Hell, his grammar and spelling are top notch. He's probably good enough to work for the Plain Dealer.

 

[User 1019]

Way better than Ace.

 

[Rosie]

Matt, you're the same age as one of my kids, so I'm going to give you some serious mom advice - no different than I'd give to my kids.

First, put together a resume. One page, list your school activities and extracurriculars (like Scouts, youth group, the volunteer work you've done - all of it.) Make sure you proof it for grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Keep in mind a job will cut into your social life and you need to be able to get your school work done same as before.

When you go in and apply, look the part. Neat clothes, no tears in them, hair combed - think dressing for church (or whatever place of worship you attend.)

Apply at all of them, you don't apply for a job and just get it. You may get turned down. Don't take it personally.

Remember a job is a serious responsibility and commitment. Be on time - early is better - do your job the best you can and don't sluff off. Don't call in sick because you don't feel like going to work. You made the commitment, stick to it.

Make sure you have a dependable way to get to work.

Have you discussed this with your mom? If you haven't, do it.

Finally, does your mother know you visit this board? With some of the stuff on this board, I wouldn't want my 16-year-old visiting here.

Good luck.

And for any of you who may be thinking of tearing this kid up, don't. Leave him be. This thread is so far, so good. I expect it to stay that way.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Way better than Ace.

Now that you mention it, I'm in Cleveland right now and have not seen Ace's byline.

 

[zeke12]

I imagine that every day, Ace sits down and types:

Ace Reporter
Not The Plain Dealer

And some poor copy editor has to change it, every time.

 

[imjustagirl]

Way better than Ace.

Now that you mention it, I'm in Cleveland right now and have not seen Ace's byline.

You shouldn't be reading the P-D then. Check the Beacon-Journal. Better.