Top 10 After-School Jobs

More often than not, teenagers get a job for one reason only: to earn money. But teens have the opportunity to gain a lot more from their employment than just a paycheck. Their job can help them learn valuable social and life skills, as well as providing training for a future career. Susanna Cerasuolo, a college counselor and CEO of CollegeMapper.com, shares 10 jobs that can help put your teen on the path to success.

For many teens, a great job is at the nearest grocery store. There they'll learn how to work with the public in all kinds of situations, Cerasuolo said. "This job is great for strengthening your social skills and your conflict resolution skills. It also teaches you to work quickly and well with others."

Working in the food industry is an ideal starting point for today's teens. "This is a job that everyone should have at some point, just so we can all appreciate the speed and stress and teamwork involved," Cerasuolo said. Working in customer service in a restaurant will certainly reinforce young people's communication skills, while also strengthening their ability to multi-task and think on their feet, she added.

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Working as a tour guide is a great way for teens to polish their speaking and presentation skills, things that will help during those college interviews. There are many options for this position, including with a local museum, a tour company or the local visitors center. "Tour guides have to know their stuff and think fast, in addition to actually teaching people while being slightly entertaining," Cerasuolo said.

On the surface, it may seem all fun and games, but working with younger children teaches teenagers a great deal about responsibility. Great places to do this include working as a camp counselor, a school tutor or at a local community center. "You learn patience, creativity, problem-solving, mediation and conflict resolution," Cerasuolo said. She mentioned that another benefit to a job like this is that it can help teens decide if they might want to become a teacher.

Babysitting is a tried and true occupation for teens everywhere. Watching children after school teaches teens responsibility, punctuality, conflict management, creativity, patience and accountability, Cerasuolo said. Plus, finding a job as a babysitter couldn’t be easier. Check with your neighbors, family friends and fellow church members. Parents are always looking for trustworthy and responsible babysitters.

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Today's teens are always snapping photos or taking video with their cellphones. For those who really have a passion for it, working as a photographer's assistant could be the perfect job. "As an intern, you'll likely be changing sets, setting up for photo shoots, holding lights, [dealing with] costuming and makeup and advertising," Cerasuolo said. She noted that in many cases, students really enjoy the variety and pace of this job.

Landing a job at a bookstore is great for any teen, but it's a particularly good opportunity for those who love to read. "Working in a bookstore involves customer service, inventory, staff meetings, ordering supplies and books, decorating and window displays, and learning to run a cash register," Cerasuolo said. She pointed out that an additional perk to a bookstore job is getting to hear readings and meet authors at book signings.

Most communities have a local theater or movie house, many of which will hire teenagers to work as ushers, stage staff and concession stand workers. "These jobs are great for learning teamwork, [the benefits of] working quickly, customer service and how to manage a cash register," Cerasuolo said. A great perk of this type of job? You get to see lots of free movies and theater productions.

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A great way for a teen to learn more about a future career is by working as an intern in that particular industry. "Many offices are happy to hire teens who want to learn the ropes," Cerasuolo said. "And while you may start out filing papers or answering the phone, you could end up running the company one day." So she advises teens to learn as much as they can and work on their people skills. If your teen is not sure what industry he wants to explore, the administrative and interpersonal skills gained as an office assistant are still highly valuable.

For teens who love the great outdoors, a job as a boat handler or river guide could be just what they're looking for. "Companies run river trips in the summers, and they need people to handle the boats and assist the passengers," Cerasuolo said. This job involves survival skills, teamwork, communication and possibly first aid. Critical thinking and customer service are a must — and it's all carried out in the great outdoors, she emphasized.