Teenagers across the nation seek job opportunities for various reasons, ranging from helping their parents financially to simply wanting money for their favorite clothes and shoes. Consequently, job industries received an influx of teenage workers throughout recent years. Teens around NC share and expand on their experiences to hopefully guide others their age into the workforce.

Fast food industry

Approximately 1.6 million teenagers clocked into the fast food industry in 2020 and dominate the field to this day. As companies like McDonald’s hire as young as 14, teens enter the labor force by making food and assisting customers. Working in the industry can sharpen social skills and provide a sense of responsibility for a young teenager, but like any other job, can also expose children to a harsh environment.

“My experience so far has been decent but kind of stressful. When it gets busy, there are just so many things to do. Especially because we are understaffed, and sometimes [working] can get in the way of school. [Although, since I have begun working in fast food,] I’ve learned [to have] patience and [be] a lot nicer to people,” junior McDonald’s employee Denise Kagiri said.

Retail clothing stores

As addressed, teenagers frequently begin working to earn money for personal desires such as filling up their closets. Retail companies offer their employees several discounts, enticing teenagers to spend their hours after school and weekends at their favorite stores. Generally located in local malls, retailers hire at the age of 16 and look for people interested in fashion. Retail employees benefit from working in a suitable environment and earning an income concurrently. 

“I have worked in a few retail stores, and most have been in the mall, and if I am being honest I would prefer fast food. Working with clothes and shoes is nice because of discounts and it’s really easy, but it is boring and it makes shifts feel like forever. Fast food shifts go by quicker because there is more action,” junior Abigail Williams said. 

Mom-and-pop shops

Mom-and-pop shops, or family-owned businesses, welcome teenagers to their operation from a young age. Children commonly receive these jobs through family friends or even their own parent’s businesses. Working in a company owned by an individual rather than a franchise provides employees with a sense of comfort and belonging. Despite teenagers running the risk of making less money in these shops due to a lack of stability, workers prefer mom-and-pop shops because of the values and personal connection the enterprise entails.

“I started working when I was 14 at my mom’s friend’s clothing store. I got paid in cash and she was super flexible with scheduling. I eventually quit and began working at Chick-Fil-A, but I [did not] like the environment that much. Honestly, I had positive and negative experiences with both because working for her clothing store was easier and more comfortable, but I got paid better at Chick-Fil-A. At the same time, when you are working in fast food, you feel like a number rather than a valued employee,” sophomore Lauren Tarchak said.

 Self-employment

As teenagers progress through high school, they develop new interests and passions. During quarantine, developing small businesses spread throughout social media platforms such as TikTok, and several teens decided to join the trend and take their desires to the next level to make a profit. From clothing lines to nail designs, high school students give back to their community while expressing their creativity. As business owners prosper their brand and manage finances from a young age, self-employment takes popularity throughout the nation.

“I really liked that my small business was my first job because it was something that taught me so much. It’s good to get experience working as an employee in fast food or retail, but I think having a small business taught me a lot about myself. I would 100% rather work for myself, I wanna work for myself when I’m older because yes stability is nice, but safety doesn’t really make me happy. My passion is waking up every day knowing that I’m building something for myself and I’m doing it for myself,” junior class president and small business owner Ryan Lacey said.