Freshman here at Skyline are starting to take their first big steps into the life of the workforce. While most jobs don’t offer positions till 16 or older, 9th graders are finding ways to earn money with jobs that hire younger people.
A first great option to start your working journey is in the fast food business. Many places start hiring at the age of 15, including Mcdonalds, Chick-Fil-A (in some locations), and Burger King.
Although working in a professional environment might be intriguing there are many other ways to earn money: babysitting, mowing lawns, or even starting up a business.
“I babysit. I like to help parents have a break, and I like to support kids and help them,”said Sylvie Pinaud (‘29). “I got the job originally from my neighbors… they had asked me to babysit their son, and I kind of just grew from there.”
A lot of our students also start their journey by volunteering somewhere they are passionate about.
“I volunteer as a camp counselor at Rocks And Robots and I’m going to start getting paid this summer, ” said Sam Kinra (‘29). “I was originally a camper but my friend and I wrote so much code that we broke the computer. The director of the camp then decided to hire us. It’s fun to work with kids for me because they have interesting opinions on things and see the world differently.”
Students looking for jobs can find help and leads in Skyline’s College and Career Center, right next to the library.
Even though freshmen are just starting high school, many are already learning how to balance school and work. Whether they are working at a fast food restaurant, babysitting, or volunteering, these students are gaining responsibility and real-life skills. Their first job is not just about making money. It’s about growing and preparing for the future.
