Teenagers are a breed in their own right. As parents, all we ever want to do is protect and care for our kids, but we also need to ensure they get some “real world” experiences so they’ll mature into responsible adults. Although your teen might consider it “boring” to start working when they’re “just a teen” there are so many great reasons them to start earning their own cash. Aside from just saving for what they really want, they’ll also begin building valuable skills and expertise, which essentially sets them up for a successful career later on in life.

Here in SA, we have quite a lot of easy-to-land jobs for teens that can help develop skills while never being too dull. If you’re helping your teenager find a holiday or part-time gig, here are some options to consider.

Best jobs for teenagers

Animal shelter

If your kid has a knack for dealing with animals, then a job at an animal shelter can be one of the best part-time opportunities. Animal shelters are always in need of cleaners, plus if they’ve got their eye on a career in veterinary services, this is the ideal place to start gaining some hands-on experience. Keep in mind that it can be a sad and dirty job at the worst of times, but the rewards far outweigh the negatives of this job.

Dog Walker

Again, if your kid loves animals, this is something they can do in their spare time to start earning their own cash. If they’re keen on the idea, they’ll need to be reliable and trustworthy. They can get a foot in the door by offering their services to neighbours before advertising on a community board or Facebook group.

Babysitting

This is an excellent job for South African teenagers because it’s a super flexible part-time job and something that’s almost always in demand. While some folks pay per hour, most of them pay a daily fee, and it’s always in cold hard cash. Obviously, they’ll mainly be working on Friday and Saturday evenings. To ensure they earn a better pay rate, help them get certified in first-aid because most people don’t want to leave their kids with someone who doesn’t know how to handle an emergency situation.

Swimming instructor

If your teenager is good at swimming, this can be a cool way to earn some extra cash. Of course, they can only land a job like this if they have training in CPR and basic first aid. They might just have to save someone’s life one day, so it’s super important that they know how to do it!

Final Thoughts

There are loads of jobs for teens in SA, and all you need to help your teenager land one is a little initiative and a willingness to learn and work from their side. Yes, the pay might not be excellent for all these jobs, but they are surefire ways to get a foot in the door for the future of their career in a few years. Not sure where to start looking? Head over to Adzuna right now. Your opportunity might be just a few clicks away!