9 answers
Lily
Student
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
2
Questions
Updated
1824 views
How could I get a job?
I’m 14, and I’m interested in becoming an author who writes physical books or owning my own shop. I want to get a job. However, I can’t drive yet, and my grandmother is my only source of transportation. She works every day except Thursdays and Sundays. Most days, she works from around 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., but on Tuesdays and Saturdays, she finishes around noon. And I struggle to find a job at my age, whether it's a summer job or a normal job. And half the time I get recommended jobs far, far away or ones I'm too young for. I'm in Brookyn park minnesota.
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8 answers
Johnson Tran
Tutor
101
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Johnson’s Answer
Hi Lily,
At 14, not having a car can make finding a job a bit tricky, but you still have some good options.
Since you want to be an author and maybe open your own shop someday, start building those skills now. You don't need a traditional job for that. Try starting a blog, entering writing contests, or helping with your school newspaper. It's a great way to improve your writing and build a portfolio while you're young.
For some quick cash, stick to jobs that don't need a car. Babysitting, dog walking, yard work, or tutoring younger kids are great choices. You could also walk around your neighborhood to see if any local shops are hiring teens for a few hours a week.
If your grandma takes you into town on Saturdays, check out a bookstore or local library. Even if they're not hiring, volunteering there is a great way to get your foot in the door and earn good references for later.
Most importantly, keep writing! Many great authors started just like you, writing stories long before getting a job in publishing. Everything you write now is practice for your future career. Good luck!
At 14, not having a car can make finding a job a bit tricky, but you still have some good options.
Since you want to be an author and maybe open your own shop someday, start building those skills now. You don't need a traditional job for that. Try starting a blog, entering writing contests, or helping with your school newspaper. It's a great way to improve your writing and build a portfolio while you're young.
For some quick cash, stick to jobs that don't need a car. Babysitting, dog walking, yard work, or tutoring younger kids are great choices. You could also walk around your neighborhood to see if any local shops are hiring teens for a few hours a week.
If your grandma takes you into town on Saturdays, check out a bookstore or local library. Even if they're not hiring, volunteering there is a great way to get your foot in the door and earn good references for later.
Most importantly, keep writing! Many great authors started just like you, writing stories long before getting a job in publishing. Everything you write now is practice for your future career. Good luck!
Thank you so much for the advice!
Lily
Zack Duncan
Marketing
1
Answer
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Zack’s Answer
There are lots of ways to get involved in writing that don't required transportation. You can do a lot remotely/from home. The most important thing is to just write... A LOT.
There are great websites like Wattpad and VOCAL that allow authors to publish content and build a following. Authors like Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl) started by posting their content online and gathering an audience before they became successful, full-time authors. Experiment with putting your writing online. Alternatively, you can also explore jobs writing articles for local blogs or papers. Those positions can be rare, but online authors do get paid for their articles.
There are great websites like Wattpad and VOCAL that allow authors to publish content and build a following. Authors like Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl) started by posting their content online and gathering an audience before they became successful, full-time authors. Experiment with putting your writing online. Alternatively, you can also explore jobs writing articles for local blogs or papers. Those positions can be rare, but online authors do get paid for their articles.
Thanks for the help.
Lily
Kelly Christensen
Recruiter
10
Answers
Copperopolis, California
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
It's amazing that at just 14, you already have big dreams like writing books and owning a shop. Finding a job can be tough because of age restrictions and transportation issues, but you can still start building your future. Here are some ideas:
1. Neighborhood Business: You can start a small service in your area, like pet sitting, dog walking, yard work, or tutoring younger kids. This will teach you about running a business and dealing with customers. You can visit clients by walking or biking. Try to work on days when your grandma is available to help, like Thursdays, Sundays, or after noon on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Treat it like a real business by making flyers, keeping track of expenses, and counting your earnings.
2. Home-Based Writing: You don't need a job to start writing. Enter free writing contests for teens or share your stories on platforms like Substack, Wattpad, or a personal blog. This helps build your writing skills and audience. If you want to try freelance writing, you'll need a parent to help manage the account and payments.
3. Local Small Businesses: Visit local shops near your home. They might hire you for simple tasks like sweeping or breaking down boxes, especially on Thursdays or weekends when you have free time.
These options let you start working towards your dreams without waiting for a traditional job.
1. Neighborhood Business: You can start a small service in your area, like pet sitting, dog walking, yard work, or tutoring younger kids. This will teach you about running a business and dealing with customers. You can visit clients by walking or biking. Try to work on days when your grandma is available to help, like Thursdays, Sundays, or after noon on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Treat it like a real business by making flyers, keeping track of expenses, and counting your earnings.
2. Home-Based Writing: You don't need a job to start writing. Enter free writing contests for teens or share your stories on platforms like Substack, Wattpad, or a personal blog. This helps build your writing skills and audience. If you want to try freelance writing, you'll need a parent to help manage the account and payments.
3. Local Small Businesses: Visit local shops near your home. They might hire you for simple tasks like sweeping or breaking down boxes, especially on Thursdays or weekends when you have free time.
These options let you start working towards your dreams without waiting for a traditional job.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Lily
Michelle Duke
Developer Relations
13
Answers
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Is there any way to go into town with your grandmother on Saturdays? Chat to a local bookstore and see if they wouldn't mind giving you a Saturday shift in the morning?
If you want to write books, start writing stories. You don't need to be employed or anything like that to start writing if that's what you love.
If you want to write books, start writing stories. You don't need to be employed or anything like that to start writing if that's what you love.
i don't do that with her she's busy or at home so i can't but thansk for trying to help.
Lily
Wong Loke Yuen
Dean; Head of Programme and Senior Lecturer
840
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
At 14, you can absolutely start building work experience, but the exact jobs and hours you're legally allowed to work depend on where you live. Since you’re not able to drive and your transportation is limited, the best options are jobs that are close to home or online (with a parent/guardian involved).
Jobs that could fit you:
Bookstore or library volunteer — This would be especially useful if you want to become an author or eventually own a shop. You could learn about books, customers, organizing, and how a business operates.
Helping a local small business — A family-owned shop, café, market stall, or similar business might need help with simple tasks. Ask your parent/guardian to help you find opportunities nearby.
Tutoring younger students — If you're good at English, reading, math, or another subject, you could help younger kids with homework.
Writing-related work — You could start building experience by writing short stories, articles, book reviews, or other content. At 14, you may need a parent/guardian to help with accounts, payments, or contracts for online work.
Jobs that could fit you:
Bookstore or library volunteer — This would be especially useful if you want to become an author or eventually own a shop. You could learn about books, customers, organizing, and how a business operates.
Helping a local small business — A family-owned shop, café, market stall, or similar business might need help with simple tasks. Ask your parent/guardian to help you find opportunities nearby.
Tutoring younger students — If you're good at English, reading, math, or another subject, you could help younger kids with homework.
Writing-related work — You could start building experience by writing short stories, articles, book reviews, or other content. At 14, you may need a parent/guardian to help with accounts, payments, or contracts for online work.
Thanks for answering my question! And thank you for the advice and information.
Lily
You are welcome
Wong Loke Yuen
Connie Forestner
Brand marketing
3
Answers
Roswell, Georgia
Updated
Connie’s Answer
Start writing! The more you practice, the better you'll become. Consider starting a blog or a Substack. Join school clubs that need help with communication. You can also find writing contests or submission opportunities online. It's a great way to begin without needing to travel anywhere.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Lily
Robel Regala
Insurance Operations Analyst
42
Answers
Calamba, Calabarzon, Philippines
Updated
Robel’s Answer
Hi Lily!
You're still only 14, so don't be discouraged if finding a job is hard right now. 😊 The fact that you're already thinking about becoming an author or owning a shop shows you're planning ahead. Start small by writing stories, helping neighbors, pet sitting, babysitting, or selling things you create. Every skill you build now is a step toward your future goals. Keep going. You're much closer to your dream than you think! 📚✨💪
You're still only 14, so don't be discouraged if finding a job is hard right now. 😊 The fact that you're already thinking about becoming an author or owning a shop shows you're planning ahead. Start small by writing stories, helping neighbors, pet sitting, babysitting, or selling things you create. Every skill you build now is a step toward your future goals. Keep going. You're much closer to your dream than you think! 📚✨💪
Thank you so much, Robel!
Lily
Jessica Vieira Soares
Attorney
4
Answers
Flemington, New Jersey
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Have you considered tutoring kids in the local schools? You can create a side business where you offer help with writing, reading support and other Language Arts work for local elementary school students. You can speak with your guidance counselor and ask for ideas to get started in the local school district or you can email the local principals at the schools near you and tell them what you offer and ask if they can include you in their newsletter or share your services with their students (maybe you can drop off flyers?). All you would need at home is a computer with a Zoom connection and you can do your tutoring online and get paid via Venmo or Zelle, or you can meet the kids after school in the library or at their school if the school allows it. You can charge a reasonable fee and I know a lot of parents looking for tutors for their kids that would love to support local students.
Check out my newest post that says: I'm an eighth-grade student in Minnesota, interested in tutoring students in kindergarten through 4th grade online in basic math, reading, spelling, homework organization, or beginner typing. I'm available after school. Meetings would be held on WebEx. My parent can supervise communication, scheduling, video calls, and payments. I'm looking for online tutoring opportunities only and would not travel to a student's home. I'm hoping to earn $15–$20 per week, with payment arranged in advance for each week and handled by my parent.
Lily