With summer here, prompting your teen to seek one out summer job or internship can be scary. While they've worked hard during the school year, balancing academics and extracurriculars, it's natural to wonder if they should take a break or keep working. However, as an admissions counselor, I can assure you that there are several benefits to teenagers taking summer jobs or internships, not only for enhancing their college applications and resumes, but also for enriching their skills for future endeavors. . Here, we will examine three such benefits.

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1. Development of skills

Engaging your teen in a structured workplace this summer can accelerate their skill development. While they can improve their academic skills in the classroom, work environments provide a unique environment to enhance their social and professional skills. Internships, in particular, provide hands-on experience that goes beyond academic learning. Teenagers can apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, which can deepen their understanding and improve their problem-solving skills. However, it's easy to get caught up in the idea of ​​finding the most prestigious internship. However, the truth is that any work experience will help them learn how to communicate effectively, collaborate with a team, manage their time and work well under pressure.

Take a student starting at the lowest level in a restaurant, for example. They can get their own way, showing increased leadership and the ability to work in a high-pressure environment. These experiences are eye-opening and help build a versatile skill set. I always advise students that they can work in places like a pizza shop or retail store where they will interact with different people, take on more responsibility and demonstrate real growth, all of which enrich their resume. .

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Colleges also understand the importance of these experiences, which is why career centers are dedicated to connecting students with suitable opportunities. These experiences help students understand their interests, professional dynamics, good work ethics, and how to build relationships essential to their future careers. Students can begin building their professional networks in high school by connecting with mentors and professionals who can guide them on their career paths. This early exposure to the professional world can be a significant advantage, setting them apart from their peers and laying a solid foundation for future success and better opportunities in college and beyond.

2. Application and interview experience

practices at prestigious companies, such as large banks and consulting firms, are known for their fierce competition and thus undoubtedly look good on college applications. However, these positions often also involve rigorous screening and interview processes, forcing students to work hard to create impressive applications.

Gaining this experience can be invaluable to teenagers, giving them a chance to present themselves as top applicants in an increasingly selective situation. the college admissions landscape. As I'm sure we all remember, first interviews tend to be our worst. However, their high school experience allows teens to improve over time. By the time college interviews roll around, they'll be more confident and prepared to make a good impression on admissions officers. This early preparation can help your teen learn how to articulate their accomplishments and goals effectively, further improving their communication skills. Considering that confidence, communication and competence are essential in college interviews, this practice can significantly affect their chances of being accepted, potentially leading to more acceptance.

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3. Financial empowerment

Financial skills are increasingly important to young people, but they are not taught in CLASSROOM. While most internships available to high school students are unpaid, there are paid opportunities that your teen can pursue.

Income from their summer employment can help teens better understand the importance of financial responsibility and the value of hard work. It's a great time for us parents to introduce them to healthy spending habits and investing basics. To stay afloat in today's economic climate, teens as young as 16 are asking their parents to set up savings and investment accounts on their behalf to start building their wealth early.

Given the high cost of tuition, this is a smart strategy for teens and parents alike. Setting goals for invest a part of their monthly income, they can create good financial habits that will serve them well throughout college and beyond. While they may not earn significant interest initially, these habits may continue into college, giving them a significant financial cushion in the future.

Final thoughts

While letting your teen kick back and relax this coming summer is tempting, including them in a summer job or practice is a wise investment. It will help them develop critical professional and social skills to better prepare them for college applications and lead to greater financial responsibility. These skills will equip them for a smoother transition into adulthood, ensuring they are prepared and ready for success.