6 answers
Aisha
Student
Des Moines, Washington
1
Question
Asked
763 views
Hey, I am a 14 right now about to be 15 and believe that I am ready for a job. But there’s like nowhere that’s hiring someone as young as me in my area so I was wondering if anyone knew of some jobs??
Hey, I am a 14 right now about to be 15 and believe that I am ready for a job. But there’s like nowhere that’s hiring someone as young as me in my area so I was wondering if anyone knew of some jobs??
Login to comment
6 answers
Rachel Scott-Mohammed
Photographer
6
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Hi Aisha - I started working when I was about your age. First, it was doing office work for my mom. After, my first "real" job was being a Girl Scout Camp Counselor. I was a Girl Scout growing up, and attended the same camp as a kid, so it was a perfect fit for me. There are all kinds of camps out there, and may be a good way to spend the summer. Perhaps check around your area to see if there is something available.
Other than that, perhaps reach out to some family friends who own their own business and see if they can offer a part-time gig to start building your resume. However, 15 is still a little young to start working. Many established places where teens get their first job (like fast food, retail, etc) may want you to wait until your 16. It may be good to check with the local labor laws.
Best of luck!
Other than that, perhaps reach out to some family friends who own their own business and see if they can offer a part-time gig to start building your resume. However, 15 is still a little young to start working. Many established places where teens get their first job (like fast food, retail, etc) may want you to wait until your 16. It may be good to check with the local labor laws.
Best of luck!
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
835
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Maybe create your own work. Seems silly, but taking garbage cans to the curb for older neighbors, walking dogs, watering plants for those away on vacation can be simple ways to earn money.
Find a few neighbors you can help and it’ll put a little spending money in your pocket.
Find a few neighbors you can help and it’ll put a little spending money in your pocket.
Karen Kitchel
Community Volunteer
431
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Good you are wanting to work! You might turn this into a fun opportunity to do new things and also to experience how good it feels to help your neighbors, friends or family. Come up with a list of things you might enjoy doing -- running errands, taking care of plants while someone is on vacation, walking a dog, organizing shelves. Prepare a flyer with a list of what you can do and that you are open to new possibilities. Include your availability, being as flexible as you can.
Keep notes on all the things you end up doing so you can add them to a resume for a future job in an office, store, or organization.
With every good wish and many blessings!
Keep notes on all the things you end up doing so you can add them to a resume for a future job in an office, store, or organization.
With every good wish and many blessings!
Shal Hamilton
2
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Shal’s Answer
Hi Aisha! It's great that you're thinking about your future. There's no rush to work for a big company. You'll have plenty of time for that later. Right now, focus on what you enjoy and what you're good at.
What skills do you have that could earn you money? If you love building things, why not offer to assemble items for people in your neighborhood? If you enjoy painting and restoring furniture, spend your weekends finding cheap or free items to fix up and resell. If you can draw, consider selling your artwork or creating digital logos. You could also offer services like babysitting, makeup, or making jewelry.
Use your natural talents to your advantage. Check out YouTube for inspiration and get started!
If you're still interested in working for a company, start by asking around your neighborhood. Many young people work for family businesses. Does someone in your family own a business? Maybe ask your favorite dentist if you can help out at their office or see if your local grocery store is hiring.
Look at the relationships you already have and see how they might lead to opportunities.
Speak with family and friends and let them know you are looking for an opportunity, word-of-mouth is invaluable
Identify what natural talents you have that could turn into profit
Join apps or identify groups that will help you with spreading the word of your new skill or help you find an opprtunity
Make a flyer to advertise your new business
Identify key people whom you already have relationships with, even a school counselor could help
What skills do you have that could earn you money? If you love building things, why not offer to assemble items for people in your neighborhood? If you enjoy painting and restoring furniture, spend your weekends finding cheap or free items to fix up and resell. If you can draw, consider selling your artwork or creating digital logos. You could also offer services like babysitting, makeup, or making jewelry.
Use your natural talents to your advantage. Check out YouTube for inspiration and get started!
If you're still interested in working for a company, start by asking around your neighborhood. Many young people work for family businesses. Does someone in your family own a business? Maybe ask your favorite dentist if you can help out at their office or see if your local grocery store is hiring.
Look at the relationships you already have and see how they might lead to opportunities.
Shal recommends the following next steps:
Wendy Maxwell
Intelligence Analyst
4
Answers
Silver Spring, Maryland
Updated
Wendy’s Answer
You might consider a job as a Junior Camp Counselor (often called a Counselor-in-Training or JC). This can be at an overnight camp or a day camp, in a wide variety of camp types. JC's assist senior staff in supervising children, leading and/or assisting with activities, and ensuring a safe, fun environment. It could be a volunteer or a stipended (paid) role. It helps you gain leadership skills, experience a variety of responsibilities without the heavier pressure of a full-time job (ie, you'll get paid but you still get to have fun and be a 'kid' at camp), and it provides experience in childcare. Taskings could include organizing games, supporting daily logistics, doing artwork with kids, cleaning up after dinner, animal care (such as with horses), and mentoring younger campers. It looks really great on future job applications, scholarships, and college applications, as well.
Check out the many Junior Camp Counselor opportunities on mysummercamps.com or other such sites to see what opportunities are available. Make sure the camp is ACA accredited (it's a safety certification a good camp would have).
Wendy recommends the following next steps:
Heather Pausche (US)
HR
8
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Heather’s Answer
It’s awesome that you want to work already. That motivation puts you way ahead of a lot of people your age. At 14 (almost 15), it’s true that many traditional jobs won’t hire yet because of labor laws, but there are still good options.
Have you thought about becoming a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, which is open to students ages 13–18. Sea Cadets is not enlistment and does not require you to join the military later, but it gives you hands‑on experience with leadership, teamwork, fitness, maritime skills, and exposure to Navy and Coast Guard careers. You wear uniforms, participate in drills and training, and gain real responsibility, all while staying in school.
Another option to look into once you’re in high school is JROTC, if your school offers it. JROTC focuses on leadership, citizenship, confidence, and discipline, not recruiting. Many students join JROTC simply to build structure and skills, and there is no obligation to join the military afterward.
If you’re looking for actual work experience right now, many people your age start with things like babysitting, pet sitting, dog walking, yard work, helping neighbors, tutoring younger students, or helping at local community centers. These may not be “official jobs,” but they absolutely count as experience and help you build responsibility and references. Some local parks, recreation centers, or libraries also offer youth volunteer programs, which can later turn into paid positions when you’re old enough.
The most important thing is that at 14–15, your job doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to help you learn responsibility, time management, and confidence.
Have you thought about becoming a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, which is open to students ages 13–18. Sea Cadets is not enlistment and does not require you to join the military later, but it gives you hands‑on experience with leadership, teamwork, fitness, maritime skills, and exposure to Navy and Coast Guard careers. You wear uniforms, participate in drills and training, and gain real responsibility, all while staying in school.
Another option to look into once you’re in high school is JROTC, if your school offers it. JROTC focuses on leadership, citizenship, confidence, and discipline, not recruiting. Many students join JROTC simply to build structure and skills, and there is no obligation to join the military afterward.
If you’re looking for actual work experience right now, many people your age start with things like babysitting, pet sitting, dog walking, yard work, helping neighbors, tutoring younger students, or helping at local community centers. These may not be “official jobs,” but they absolutely count as experience and help you build responsibility and references. Some local parks, recreation centers, or libraries also offer youth volunteer programs, which can later turn into paid positions when you’re old enough.
The most important thing is that at 14–15, your job doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to help you learn responsibility, time management, and confidence.