For the majority of you guys *(our faithful readers) it’s summer, which means:
1. late summer night escapades with friends
2. nights gallivanting in the city
3. City Bike nights
4. crashing house parties
5. attempting to get into performances in concert halls
6. live bars in the city
No matter what your endeavor may be, you would be in need of financial support. Sadly for those who are under the age of 18 would most likely have to continue the habit of asking/begging your caregivers for money. And for those who fall in the latter category, congratulations you have to pay for things with your OWN MONEY. If you live in NYC, you have to now PAY for your train fare. Farewell to the good friend you’ve known so many years as “The Green Metro.” Soon you might find yourself not being able to go out with friends because of insufficient funds, $2.50 really adds up. We must now toil with the hard labor of your sweat and tears at a job that has slowly started to become an agonizing task. Thankfully, I have not yet reached that stage and happen to like my coworkers, so for the time being my sanity is saved. To the hundreds of teens and young adults looking for ways to make money this summer I advise the usage of “What is Google for 500$”.
You see, as we get older obviously responsibilities are constantly thrown in our direction, but it’s almost as if parents can’t wait to send us “out into the Real World”. My mother has a tendency to stretch my age by a few years when it is convenient. For example, if I didn’t start to cook for Sunday dinner from Saturday night she would say something along the lines of “You’re almost terty years hole’ an yuna see nutthin fi do inna de h’ouse, lawd h’ave mercy on ya h’usban.”(In a Jamaican accent) During this time I would find a reason to leave the house. It’s not that I have an issue cooking, but when the reasoning is because my “name is girl child” I protest because I have feminist tenancies. Because of my job, I tend to use it as a scapegoat to avoid such situations, unless I’m in the mood to cook of course.
There is a sense of gratification you get from making your own money and deciding what or where you want to spend it. If you are looking for a job because you have an unhealthy addiction to shoes or you are saving for something important then you can search on GOOGLE for opportunities in your area *don’t be lazy. You now how on job applications they require experience, but no one one seems willing to offer the opportunity… Try looking for internships in career areas that spark your interest. Even if the job is unpaid and require you to do coffee runs. Do it to your best ability and network with people. Take advantage of every opportunity presented to you because you never know. Build personal relationships with the people you would like to potentially work with and show your personality. For example, if you want to work at a retail store do the following :
1. Walk in with a positive attitude ( for those who suffer with C.B.F make sure your face also looks happy)
2. Ask for a manager, then an application
3. If you see something you like about them (ex. their hair) comment on it and connect on a personal level this was they will remember you
4. Be humble because no one owes you anything
5. Remember to be grateful and say thank you (sadly my generation seems to be suffering from “what is lack of manners for 200$”)
Now if you like and can deal with children, then go on www.sensiblesitters.com or www.sittercity.com and hope for a family in Brooklyn Heights or the Upper East Side that might want to take you on their vacation to Italy. Whatever your interest may be, peruse it via Google and networking and get your finances up.
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