JOBS FOR 18 YEAR OLDS

Many 18 year olds looking for jobs for the first time are finding the harsh reality of the working world: it is hard to get a job and there is lots of competition. If they have their sites set too high, they are probably going to be very disappointed.

First jobs for 18 year olds can be any sort of “foot in the door” entry level job that brings home a paycheck but not much more. Something like a store clerk, bank teller, salesperson, or waiter might be some of the jobs an eighteen year old can get. None of these are going to make you very much money but they will start a work history that you can use to get something better later on.

If you are a recent high school graduate, you should not expect very much for your first job(s) without experience or a college degree. In fact, right now people with college degrees are having to settle for much less than they want as well because of the poor economy. You hear about the bad economic conditions all the time in the news and if you are trying to find a job, you know first hand just how bad things are.

Service jobs are often the types of jobs an 18 year old can get and those are the ones that don’t pay too much. You need to be able to interact with customers and represent the company well as you will often be the only one the customer interacts with.

It is a myth that you “need” a college degree to get a job and work your way up in the job market. Yes, a college degree can open a door or two for you and perhaps qualify you for more jobs, but having one is certainly not a must. Many very successful people who never graduated college have gone on to make a lot of money and a big impact in the business world.

If you are looking for your first post high school job, it is important to buckle down, get that job, and then start to gain experience while working your way up. The more knowledge you get and the more you learn about your chosen company or profession, the more valuable you will become. Once you show real value to an employer, it will matter little whether you have a college degree and in fact it may not matter at all. Getting your feet wet and working hard from your very first day is the best job and career strategy for any high school graduate.