Ahh, summer days . . . kicking back at the beach and sleeping until noon. Yep, summer is the perfect time of year to exercise the careless freedoms of being a kid. It may seem like a teen’s summer vacation would be laid back and fun-filled. For some teens though, summer vacation is certainly not without commitments.

For decades kids as young as fourteen have been contributing to the community and making a little something to fill their wallet during the summer. Teens who work are not only earning money to spend at the mall, but they’re also learning valuable skills that they can apply to tomorrow’s job market.

For example, the value of a hard day’s work may seem cliche, but really is an important lesson for teens today to learn. Teens who participate in summer jobs are more likely to have an easier time once they become involved in the job market as adults, due to the experience they’ve gained as a teenage worker.

Personally, I have had a summer job for the past few summers. You see, my family owns and runs a restaurant and fish market. It’s located on route four in Turner and is called the Village Farm. I enjoy watressing and have even found a liking to fishing through the lobster tanks at the seafood market.

During my experience as a teenage worker, I have learned a lot of valuable skills. First of all, I have learned how having a great work ethic is very beneficial. If I know how to work hard to complete a task that not only gives me a boost in the working world, but is also a tool I can apply in my academics.

I’ve been taught other important principles from working, too. Responsibility being one. if I can be entrusted with opening a store, I should be able to get my homework done.

In conclusion, having a summer job as a teenager has taught me some lifelong lessons and important skills that I can apply not only in the future job market, but in school as well.