Best jobs for a 16 year old?

[neversummer23]

Just turned 16, looking to get a job. Was wondering what some of the best jobs would be? I was looking into LaFortune, but would love some input. Around South Tulsa please.

[guido911]

What are your interests/career ideas?

[Ed W]

At 16, your choices are limited.  Many businesses won't hire anyone under 18.  Worse, in today's down economy, jobs are hard to find.  Most kids look into food service jobs.  The fast food places aren't the best places to work, but they're a start.  Even better is a waitstaff job because it offers tips.  

There are other options.  You can mow lawns.  You can wash windows.  Some people really hate washing windows.  Your investment is a couple of squeegees, some rags, buckets, and detergents.  Offer a flat rate or a per window rate, first floor only, no ladders or inside work.  

[neversummer23]

What are your interests/career ideas?

Looking into programming as a career. I was thinking about Whole Foods, due to the discounts.

[Breadburner]

Hot tar roof.....

[neversummer23]

Hot tar roof.....

Great idea...I'm sure the benefits are great.

[Conan71]

Great idea...I'm sure the benefits are great.

Yeah, you don't have to pay to re-sole your shoes!

[guido911]

At 16, your choices are limited.  

Well that's one way to give encouragement...

[heironymouspasparagus]

You doing any programming now?  (NOT game playing related....)

Some of the fast foods will hire you for non-cooking stuff - at least that's the rumor I have heard.

Maybe doing "cleanup on aisle 6" for Whole Foods.  Just ask them.  And if you are near Brookside (since you brought up Whole Foods) go up and down the street asking everyone - no matter who it is.  Check the car dealers to see if they need someone to push a broom and clean the restrooms.  

If you can get in the door, and then make yourself useful, they will keep you over most of the 16 year old out there.  

Lose the cell phone and especially texting.  (Nothing gets someone fired at my place faster than sitting around texting or talking when there is work to do.  And there is ALWAYS work to do.)

Don't remember all the places down the street, but I know there are a lot.  Check the TV station to see if their janitorial people need a go-fer.  (Ask your parent(s) or favorite uncle what a go-fer is if you don't already know.)

Obviously you have some incentive just getting here and talking about it.  Convert talk to action.  Adapt, innovate, improvise.  Any business you see needs some kind of help, if you are willing to work.

The gold standard would be McDonald's.  If you can survive there, you will get first class training in a wide variety of life skills.  If I were looking for help right now, I would actively be looking for a McDonald's assistant manager who had been in the program for a couple of years.

Look at industrial places - maybe a small to medium would hire for shop helper (pushing a broom and straightening up) and if you get in the door, you will learn.  You might learn something that interests you for future work.  Never sit down!!  No whining!!  In other words, don't be a 16 year old.  Channel a 25 year old who needs the work to support a wife and new kid!  Be desperate!

Pep Boys.  Harley Shops.  Stocker.  Braums.  Kohls.  Target.  RV dealer.  Boat shop.
Start at "A" in the yellow pages, and go through until someone hires you.  And no, NEVER call them.  Dress right and go in person.  If they show any interest, like just giving you an application to fill out, check back without being a pest - who knows, they might hire you just to get you off their back!

Good luck!!  Hope you find something!

[Conan71]

Well that's one way to give encouragement...

Yeah the whole post was really optimistic.

One of the funner jobs I had as a teen was as a stocker/sacker at Albertson's or whatever it was called in those days.  Give any grocery store a shot.  Not really south Tulsa but Big Splash is used to hiring seasonal help, so it's ideal for someone in your situation.

[BKDotCom]

My best summer job was working at the movie theater.   Worked my way up to projectionist..
Was fun, had a bit of responsibility, and lots of free movies.

[custosnox]

I've done the sacker bit at Albertsons, though I don't think they have those anymore it seems, and the movie theater bit.  That is a good place to have a summer job, just expect to work during the times that your friends are out goofing off, since that is when it is the busiest.  I also ran a little lawn mowing company.  Got a bunch of my friends who lived in apartments together, I provided the equipment (hence the reason for getting the ones in the apartments) and they provided the labor.  Split the money with them.  I can't help it if they had to split their half between three or four of them.  There are some car washes around town that have gone back to the old style (ya know, the ones with the spinning brushes that actually clean the car) that might have some work for you. 

[DolfanBob]

I started working at 14 with a paper route on a bicycle and then got a 125 motorcycle(I paid for) and took on a bigger route.

I also worked at the Plaza 3 theatre as a usher/clean up/ticket worker.

I also worked at a full service gas station and then a self service gas station.

Night stocker at a grocery store. Hot tar & bey sheet roofer's helper/ some shingle.

Stone mason's helper. Some brick. Dishwasher at a restaurant.

These are jobs that I had before the age of 18. Todays jobs are a little harder to find because there are a lot of you young guns out looking for these jobs. It is going to take a little more from you in being persistant with said employers. Dont be afraid of breaking a sweat and working hard, your young and have plenty of time to get to that cushy inside job that most of the kids today seem to think should fall right into their lap. You can do it, and your already one step ahead with the want too spirit.
Good luck young man and go make that fortune.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Albertson's are all gone.

Try Reasors - they still bag groceries.

The secret is; there is no secret.  Persevere and be prepared to do more - work harder - than your friends (competitors) and you will do better than they.  Have you heard the story about how to not get eaten by a bear?  You don't have to run faster than the bear - you just must run faster than your friends who are also running from the bear.  They are your competitors AND your network.  It they get a job, grill them about it and try to get there, too.  (On the other hand, if you get a job, don't ever let your friends go there, too - never recommend them.  It can only hurt you - either they will be better and make you look bad, or they will be worse and still make you look bad because you "recommended" them.)

[OpenYourEyesTulsa]

Best Buy had a bunch of people under 18 working the cash registers when I worked there part-time for a while.  You could move into the Geek Squad and make more money and get real world computer experience.  The main reason to work at Best Buy is the discount.